S I P rallied from an early break behind the gate to win the featured $39,726 optional-claiming trot in 1:55.3 at Miami Valley Raceway on Wednesday, Jan. 28.
Right before the wings folded, S I P briefly broke stride, which stalled any forward momentum and left driver David Miller with no option but to take back and settle in sixth along the rail. Longshot Team Bravo (Luke Hanners) protected rail position and led the field past an opening quarter of :28.1. Favourite Angel Nation (Marvin Luna) then went first-up from fourth, dragging along the close second choice, Robert Michael (Trevor Smith) second-over with S I P lining up third-over.
As Team Bravo led past the half and three-quarters in :58.1 and 1:26.3, respectively, Angel Nation was only able to draw within 1-1/2 lengths, never really challenging the pacesetter. Coming off the final turn, S I P shifted four-wide and cruised past rivals to victory by three-quarters of a length. Team Bravo held on for second while Texsong Soprano (Trace Tetrick) used a pocket trip for third.
The win for S I P was his second in five starts since moving to Ohio and the Steve Carter barn from the northeast. The seven-year-old Bar Hopping-Barbara Brooks stallion, owned by Brixton Medical Inc. and Hatfield Stables, tallied his 12th lifetime victory in 60 starts. He paid $7.20 to win.
Jeremy Smith, who recently hit the 4,000-win milestone, took four races on the 14-race card. In the frigid temperatures, Smith got things started in the fourth race with a first-over trip that turned into a 13-1/2-length romp with Majors Miracle ($3.20). Two races later, he was back in the winner's circle with a coast-to-coast trip piloting Flamboyance ($3.20). He used a two-hole trip in the next race to win by a neck with Feetmadefordancin ($5.40). He then closed out the card with his fourth victory of the night, this one with Sure Did ($4.20). Drivers David Miller and Chris Page each had three wins on the card. On the training side, 14 races produced 14 different winning trainers, a rarity at the five-eighths-mile oval.
Racing action will close out the week at Miami Valley on Thursday night with a card headlined by the $36,000 USD Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace. Post time is 4 p.m.
(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)