Despite over four hours of steady drizzle, Miami Valley Raceway produced another national season’s mark when Rock Candy sped to a 1:50.2 score in the $50,000 Scarlet & Gray Invitational for Ohio-sired pacing colts on Saturday, April 27.

The son of Pet Rock, sent at 1-9, quarter-moved to the front for driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. and then advanced comfortably all the way to the quickest clocking in North America thus far in 2019 over a five-eighths mile oval. Seattle Hanover finished a length and a half back with Ohio Vintage, Black Smile and Authentic Hanover rounding the top five.

“He’s pretty special,” said Wrenn Jr. following the race. “Brian [Brown] does such a good job prepping his horses for races like this one.”

“I just hope he’s still around in September,” said Brown. “The speeds we’re going these days makes you wonder if they’ll hold up for an entire season. This horse wasn’t a real flashy yearling, but he has turned out better than I expected. We’ll just have to wait and see if he keeps improving.”

Rock Candy, a $30,000 purchase by trainer Brian Brown at the Ohio Select Yearling Sale in September of 2017, now has five wins and six-place finishes in 11 starts, earning $235,826 along the way. He is owned by Country Club Acres, Joe Sbrocco and Richard Lombardo.

The $50,000 Scarlet & Gray Invitational for trotting colts was captured by Lane Of Stone in 1:55.2, topping Yes by four lengths, with Shake N Bake, Never Say Uncle and Otsego next across the finish line. Another Ohio-sired sophomore who has been first or second in every start, Lane Of Stone now sports seven victories in his nine starts and his earnings now stand at $169,893. Harry Horowitz owns the son of Wishing Stone that is trained by Mark Winters Sr. Jeff Nisonger sat in the bike.

“I caught a break early in the race when Wittyville (the favourite) went off stride,” said Nisonger. “But this colt had two nice qualifiers and was ready for this kind of mile tonight.”

GD Western Joe, driven by Chris Page, reached the winner’s circle for the second-straight week, winning the $22,500 Open I Pace in 1:51. Granite and My Hero Ron completed the trifecta.

A $20,000 Open II on the undercard was won by Whataboy and driver Dan Noble in 1:51.3, topping Angelo J Fra and Armabluechipboy N.

(with files from Miami Valley Raceway)