Twilight Bonfire captured the $15,500 Open Handicap Pace at Miami Valley Raceway on Saturday night, inching closer to becoming a million-dollar earner for owner/breeder Robert J. Key.

The five-year-old stud horse by The Panderosa has made the most of his 64 career starts, winning 14 of them and banking $998,405. This score was the second in three tries in local Ppen company with the first being a track-record equalling 1:51.1 effort the last day of January.

Twilight Bonfire swept past a host of horses in the stretch for driver Dan Noble collaring runner-up Gareth Nourrir (Josh Sutton) and show finisher Speed Trap (Chris Page) in the final strides of the 1:53 mile. Danny Collins conditions the winner, who will join the exclusive ‘Millionaire's Club’ with his next victory.

The second leg of the Sovereign Warrior Series for top conditioned pacers was contested in two $9,000 divisions.

Ideal Race (Chris Page), a career winner of nearly $850,000, captured the first division in 1:52.4 besting ER Zach Attack (Tyler Smith) and Winchesters Punch (Randy Tharps). With a win and a second, the Ron Burke trainee is the likely morning line favourite for the $18,000 championship next Saturday night.

Ohio-sired Feel N Funk E (Andy Shetler) copped the second division with a 1:53.1 triumph over Ally Con (Greg Grismore) and Lady s Man (Josh Sutton). George Anthrop trains the winner, who could become a $100,000 earner with a score in the series final.

Through 35 nights of the current 89-night meet, Miami Valley’s average daily handle is up a healthy 22 per cent over the inaugural season’s numbers.

(With files from Miami Valley)