Piece Deresistance Upsets Magic Moose, Mad Milton to Win Invitational Trot

The expected duel of trotting stars Magic Moose and Mad Milton lasted for three quarters of a mile Wednesday night at Los Alamitos before Ross Croghan and Piece Deresistance ended both horses’ winning streaks with a strong stretch drive to win the Invitational Trot.

Mad Milton, being driven for the first time by Marc Aubin, took the lead after the quarter-mile mark and set moderate fractions. Magic Moose got parked out early and was first over the entire mile. The track record-holder challenged for the lead until the three quarters when Mad Milton opened up a 1 1/2-length lead.

Piece Deresistance fanned out three wide on the final turn and then outtrotted the 3-year-old stakes champion to the wire to win by half a length in 1 minute 58 4/5 seconds. Mad Milton, who had won seven in a row, finished second and Magic Moose, who had won five straight, held on for third.

Because of a $28,000 show bet made on the 5-2 favorite Magic Moose, there was a $6,447 show minus pool on the race.