Pizzelle marched first-over from before the half to win the featured $44,444 Open II Handicap Trot on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at Miami Valley Raceway.

Starting from post two, Pizzelle and driver David Miller floated off the gate while the newest member of the 4,000-win club, driver Jeremy Smith, fired Kildare King hard from the inside to protect the rail and take the lead. Angel Nation (Marvin Luna) and Bargain (Sam Widger) also left and secured the two- and three-holes, respectively as the opening quarter came and went in a speedy :27.4. As the field came past the stands for the first time, Abbey D (Luke Hanners) flushed out the 4-5 favourite Pizzelle into a first-over charge as Kildare King reached the half in :57.4. 

Pizzelle continued the uncovered grind, closing to within a half-length of the pacesetter at three-quarters in 1:24.4. Pizzelle and Kildare King locked horns and battled stride-for-stride around the final turn and into the stretch, when Pizzelle finally edged clear of her rival and began to pull away. Angel Nation, who had a ringside seat to the duel, decided to watch no longer and moved to the outside of a tiring Kildare King, following Pizzelle through the stretch drive. But he could pose no real threat as Pizzelle cruised home in 1:54.1. Angel Nation finished 1-1/4 lengths behind in second while Abbey D secured third.

The win was the second of the new year in three attempts for Pizzelle, and her third victory in her last four starts. The five-year-old Walner-Biscotti mare is trained by Carter Pinske for owners Donald Robinson, Mike Robinson, Harold Bauder, and Steve Stewart. She is now 12-for-56 lifetime with $775,501 in earnings. She paid $3.60 to win.

Trainer Heather France had a banner night at the Miami Valley oval, picking up three wins and two seconds in her six Wednesday-night starts. She won the seventh race in a 10-1 upset with Specialandiknowit ($22), finished one-two in the 10th as On The Money Gb ($7) beat stablemate Party Cruiser, and completed her triple as Four Sixes surged from seventh at three-quarters to land a 49-1 upset, paying $101.80. Coming off a career year, the Ohio-based conditioner is 10-for-32 thus far in 2026.

Driver David Miller picked up four wins on the 14-race card while Brett Miller and Chris Page each had three.

Racing returns to Miami Valley for the final night this week on Thursday. Action resumes at the usual post time of 4 p.m. 

(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)