Nuclear Dragon is set to defend his title in Miami Valley Raceway's annual Jim Dailey Memorial Medley, in which he set the world record of 1:07 for a five-eighths-mile dash in 2022’s first leg and returned two weeks later to win the 1-1/4-mile final in 2:20.3.

This year, he drew the outside and was interfered with early in the leg one dash, won by American Dreamer in 1:07.1, but returned on Monday, March 13 to win leg two at one mile. Now age 11, the son of Nuclear Breeze secured his spot in the 1-1/4-mile $30,000 championship race next week.  As the even-money favourite, driver Brett Miller put the 53-time winner on the front end and dared anyone to catch him.  JWs Chrome (Sam Widger) and Rogerthat Bluechip (Trace Tetrick) gave it their best shot, but Nuclear Dragon held firm throughout the 1:52 mile.

Jason Brewer has trained the iron horse for Tonya Nichols “as long as I can remember.” Miami Valley’s leading trainer is not known for keeping his horses forever, preferring to play the claiming game and constantly welcoming new horses into his stable.

The other $20,000 second leg division of the Dailey Memorial was won by Tulhurstsantanna A, another Brewer trainee.  race Tetrick guided the 10-year-old stalwart, who was making just his second start of 2023.  The Australian-bred won for the 33rd time and pushed his career earnings over $300,000 for owner Mark Jakubik. Nassau Desire (Brett Miller) and American Dreamer (Dan Noble) chased Tulhurstsantanna A across the finish line.

When starter Mike Woebkenberg calls the finalists to the gate for next Monday’s $30,000 championship, the horses will be asked to make two revolutions around the five-eigths-mile oval at Miami Valley. The world record for the distance was set in 2006 by the recently deceased Boulder Creek, who scorched Dover Downs in 2:19.4, a record that has never really been threatened.

Miami Valley races Sunday through Thursday at 4 p.m. daily. 

(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)