Despite heavy rainfall and strong winds, veteran pacer Mykindachip turned back eight rivals to capture the $25,000 Open I feature at Miami Valley Raceway on Saturday, March 30.

Driver Chris Page got away fifth with the Ron Burke-trainee, moved outside to race third at the half, advanced to second in the outer flow as the field passed the three-quarter station, then closed to front a cavalry charge of contenders in the stretch. The 10-year-old son of Arts Chip narrowly outlasted fast-closing long shot Class Six by a nose while My Hero Ron finished a third a half length back.

Mykindachip is owned by Burke Racing, J & T Silva Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Larry Karr. With this 56th victory in 203 lifetime starts he now has earned $890,532.

A $20,000 Open II Pace resulted in an eye-popping 1:52.3 winner in Sectionline Bigry. The four-year-old son of Pet Rock swept from fourth at the midway point to a six-length victory margin over Whiskey Friskie and Hot Rod Dylan.

The homebred is out of the prolific mare Aquatic Yankee, who has produced a host of outstanding sons and daughters for owners Harold Lee and Harold L. Bauder. Steve Bauder has trained the winner to nine wins and just under $200,000 in earnings in his first two years of competition and Tyler Smith sat in the bike.

A pair of $17,500 divisions of the Tom Tharps Memorial Series determined the nine finalists for the $27,500 championship tilt scheduled for next Saturday, April 6. Cheese Melt, driven by Chris Page, captured the first split in 1:53.2 over Sand Sterling and Somebeachsomeday. The four-year-old by Betterthancheddar raced just four nights ago in the Sagamore Series final at Yonkers, but survived the long ship and short turnaround in fine fashion for trainer Ron Burke.

The second split was clocked in 1:52.2 as Rockin Speed, driven by Travis Seekman, scored over Bluebird Recon and Velocity Smoke. Joe Seekman conditions the four-year-old son of Rockin Image for L & L Devisser LLC. An eight time winner in just 37 starts, Rockin Speed has now banked over $135,000.

The top three finishers from each division all advanced to the championship final, where they will be joined by a trio of other serious contenders: Gerardo, Reagans Avenger and Noah Z Tam.

Racing resumes Sunday, March 31 at Miami Valley, the first of four matinees in the coming week. The southwest-Ohio oval regularly races on Monday and Tuesday afternoons as well, plus has added a make-up program this Thursday, April 4.

(with files from Miami Valley)