For the second straight week, a mare beat the boys in the $22,000 Open Trot at Miami Valley Raceway.

This time it was Churita (Kayne Kauffman), a five-year-old daughter of Airzoom Lindy, who captured the Tuesday feature over Dnieper (Brady Galliers) and Atlas Peak (Sandy Beatty) in 1:54.2.

Trainer Matt Rheinheimer reports that Churita, who also captured Hoosier Park’s Invitational Trot a week ago, will be back at Miami Valley “if all goes well” on Sunday, May 7 for the $100,000 (est.) Miami Valley Distaff Grand Circuit stake for the sport’s best older female trotters.

Churita, who was the two-year-old Indiana Sires Stakes champion, chased the great Hannelore Hanover at age three, and has now won 22 races and earned $644,692 in just 48 career starts.

Kauffman set sail immediately with Churita, but other horses to her inside had similar aspirations, and it took a parked-out :27.1 opening quarter before she could cross over to the front. After getting a breather to the :57.2 half, Kauffman was forced to put the pedal back to the metal during the back half-mile, tripping the three-quarter station timing beam in 1:25.3 and then closing in :28.4 while holding off Dnieper by a half-length.

As the odds-on favourite, Churita returned $3.60 to win.

Miami Valley is pleased to announce that the Budweiser Clydesdales will be on their track this Friday evening from approximately 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The majestic steeds will make several laps before the 6:05 post time for the night’s regular race card, then will make additional one-lap rounds following the first two races. Photo opportunities will be available to patrons near the winner’s circle during the Clydesdales appearance.

(Miami Valley Raceway)