A pair of Open Paces and a pair of final preliminary divisions of the Tom Tharps Memorial late-closing series highlighted the Saturday, March 31 night program over a sloppy track at Miami Valley Raceway.

Night Pro wired the $25,000 Open I Pacers in a 1:52 mile. Now two for seven on the season, the eight-year-old Pro Bono Best stallion increased his bankroll to $877,347 winning for the 55th time in 114 starts. Owner-trainer-driver Dale Decker put his prized possession on the engine from the word go, leading through fractions of :27.2, :56 and 1:23.4 before towing runner-up Lucky Lime and show finisher Prince Bayard across the finish line.

The $20,000 Open II went a tick faster when Savage Seelster beat Journeyman and Caviart Midnight in 1:51.4. Robert Bellamy and Chris Bulak own the eight-year-old Camluck gelding who has won 28 times in 114 starts, good for $244,959 in earnings. The score was one of four for Jason Brewer, who celebrated his 40th birthday by completing a driving grand slam.

The final two $15,000 preliminary heats of the Tom Tharps Memorial series, for non-winners of six races or $60,000, were also contested. Herehecomesarockin, driven by Jason Brewe, edged Sossy’s King Kong by a half length in 1:52 with Outrajus Blue Chip garnering the show dough. Mojoto Hanover, steered by Tyler Smith, won by the same slim margin in the second split over Up On The Outside and Limited Edition. The timer read 1:51.3 at the end of this mile.

Both Herehecomesarockin and Mojoto Hanover are repeat Tharps Series winners and will enter next Saturday’s $27,500 championship final as co-favourites.

Miami Valley will be dark on Easter Sunday, but will present four consecutive 2:05 p.m. matinees from Monday through Thursday of the coming week.

(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)