Jet Wings held off favourite Massive Desire for his first victory of the year in the $30,137 conditioned claiming feature as Miami Valley Raceway returned to action on Tuesday, Jan. 27 with a full card of 14 races after a two-day hiatus caused by a winter storm.
Leaving from post five with regular pilot Trace Tetrick, Jet Wings quickly cleared to the front and led the field past the opening quarter in :28.1. As they rolled through the stretch the first time, the group stayed single file until just before the half as favourite and last week's winner Massive Desire (Brett Miller) pulled first-over from third and began challenging for the lead.
As they passed the midway point in :57.3 and turned into the wind, Massive Desire slowly reeled in Jet Wings, and he got within a length as they hit three-quarters in 1:26.4. But Jet Wings resisted Massive Desire down the lane and won by three-quarters of a length in 1:56.3, with the latter settling for second. Hilltop Sonar got his way out of traffic trouble and charged for third.
The win for Jet Wings was his first since graduating from the Ohio Sires Stakes (OHSS) program. The son of What The Hill-Schlim Schlamma finished third in the OHSS final on Sept. 27 after victories in two preliminary legs. The four-year-old, owned by Joyce A. McClelland Stable LLC, is now 11-for-43 lifetime. Leading trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. tallied his 17th victory of the early meet.
Later on the card, trainer Josh Rowe celebrated his first career victory as Twice As Much ($3.40) won the 11th race by a neck. The four-year-old Mr Apples-Double Major gelding, a homebred for owner Matt Rowe, scored in 1:55.4 with Brett Miller aboard to give Josh Rowe his first win. The conditioner, a resident of Urbana, Ohio, made his debut on Jan. 8 at now has a 1-1-1 line in eight starts.
Brett Miller led all pilots with three wins on the card, with Chris Page, Trace Tetrick and Tyler Smith ending the night with doubles. Trainer Steve Carter also had two wins.
Live racing continues at Miami Valley on Wednesday night with the usual 4 p.m. post time.
(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)