Tyler Smith shot My Hero Ron to the lead and withstood all pressure through heated fractions to post the fastest mile of the season at Miami Valley Raceway when winning the $22,500 Open I on Saturday, March 23.

Smith cleared command with My Hero Ron before Mykindachip drew alongside in an attempt to take control. My Hero Ron sped to a :25.4 opening quarter to pocket Mykindachip and maintained that speed through a :54.1 half and 1:21.3 third quarter in progress to a 1:49.4 victory. GD Western closed from last for second and Granite took third.

Brian Witt owns My Hero Ron, who now owns 28 victories from 132 starts. The seven-year-old Well Said gelding has now earned $892,218 in his career.

The first leg of the Tom Tharps Memorial Series late closer, for non-winners of six races or $60,000 lifetime, featured two divisions on the card. Gerardo grabbed control and held away Reagans Avenger and Velocity Smoke to win in 1:51. Driver Kayne Kauffman trains the winner, a four-year-old Rockin Image gelding owned by Mark Bogen.

Rockin Speed, driven by Travis Seekman, captured the other Tharps division by beating Bluebird Recon and Somebeachsomeday in 1:52.1. L & L Devisser LLC owns Rockin Speed, who is also a four-year-old Rockin Image gelding.

Sunday’s 2:05 p.m. matinee at Miami Valley will feature a $25,000 Open Handicap Trot as well as two $12,000 divisions of second round action in the George ‘Red’ Ownes Memorial Series for green pacing mares.

(Miami Valley Raceway)