Better Is Nice upset favourites Im Skinnydipin N and Little Rocket Man to take the $50,000 Horses and Geldings Open Pace on Sunday, Jan. 18 at Miami Valley Raceway.

Leaving alertly from post four, Better Is Nice and driver Tyler Smith cleared easily to the front. Joelsyy Hanover (Sam Widger) protected position from post two and came away with a pocket trip while favourites Im Skinnydipin N (Trace Tetrick) and Little Rocket Man (Dave Miller) got away third and fourth, respectively, in a quarter of :27.1. Heading past the grandstands for the first time, Little Rocket Man led the outside line first-up while Better Is Nice continued with the lead through the half in :55.3 and three-quarters in 1:22.4. 

Little Rocket Man got within a length of the pacesetter at the third station, while Joelsyy Hanover lost some ground from the pocket, shuffling Im Skinnydipin N to nearly last and five lengths off the lead. As they turned for home, Better Is Nice found himself clear by two lengths with a tiring Little Rocket Man to the outside and a blocked-in Im Skinnydipin N waiting for racing room. Better Is Nice cruised home to victory by two lengths in a sharp 1:50.1. Joelsyy Hanover held off a trio of challengers for second while a hard-charging I Did It Myway (Jeremy Smith) closed from last for third.

The win was the second in the last three starts in Open company for Better Is Nice, and his 16th victory in 47 lifetime starts. The Mike Hitchcock-trained five-year old son of Bettors Wish-Thatsoveryverynice improved his lifetime earnings $1,451,817. He returned $15.60.

Trainers Jessica Millner, Tyler George, Ken Rucker, and Virgil Morgan Jr. each had training doubles. Jeremy Smith and Luke Hanners led all drivers with three wins each on the 14-race card.

Racing action returns to Miami Valley on Monday night with a modest carryover of $1,364 into the Pick 5, starting in the second race. Post time for the card is 4 p.m. 

(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)