Rose Run Valor had an exceptional 2022 season, with seven wins and $99,105 in earnings, but trainer-driver Kayne Kauffman is hoping that may have just been a warm-up act for an even better year in 2023.

The six-year-old son of Uncle Peter has made seven weekly starts in January and February, all but one in the Open ranks, and has compiled four wins, a second and a pair of fourth place finishes. Already he has banked $67,140 as one of North America’s richest trotters of the still young season.

On Wednesday (Feb. 22), Rose Run Valor beat a talented field of Open trotters for the third time in five weeks, going gate to wire in 1:54.2 as the even-money favourite. Kauffman was unhurried and unchallenged to the halfway point in :58.2 then sped home in :56 for a 1-3/4-length triumph over Dontforgetlittlman and Sly Little Fox. Kauffman’s wife Natalie owns Rose Run Valor, who was a $22,000 purchase at the Lexington yearling sale.

Miami Valley races on a Sunday through Thursday weekly schedule, with post time at 4 p.m. (EST).

(Miami Valley Raceway)