When driver Trace Tetrick crossed the line first with prohibitive favourite Annerie N in a conditioned race for mares early on the Thursday card, he became the first local reinsman to notch 100 victories in 2022.
Tetrick also was the first Miami Valley driver to eclipse the $1 million mark in seasonal purse earnings earlier in the week.
Another pair of top Ohio sulky sitters, Brett Miller and Dan Noble, is on the brink of surpassing the coveted $1 million mark as well. Another trio—Chris Page, Tyler Smith and Tony Hall—are likely to reach the same lofty plateau by season’s end on May 7.
The dash standings after 51 days of the 87 day meet are: Trace Tetrick 102, Dan Noble 79, Brett Miller 74, Chris Page 72, Tyler Smith 68, Tony Hall 52, Kayne Kauffman 46, Jeremy Smith 42, Sam Widger 37, Josh Sutton 37 and Trevor Smith 27. The top ten drivers on the list have all exceeded $500,000 in purse earnings already this year.
There were a trio of Open Paces on the St. Patrick’s Day program. The $28,000 Open I was captured by Sectionline Bigry (Brett Miller) for his fourth win in eight 2022 starts in addition to a pair of place and show finishes. His 1:49.1 clocking was the quickest of the meet, beating last week’s winner Hezzz A Wise Sky (Sam Widger) and Blank Stare (Tony Hall). Miller placed Bigry fifth off the gate, moved into third in the outer flow at the three quarters, then paced confidently to an open lengths triumph through the stretch.
Steve Bauder trains the homebred Ohio-sired superstar for owner Harold Lee Bauder of Delaware, Ohio. The seven-year-old son of Pet Rock has now banked $764,297 in his illustrious 35 win career.
Y S Mathis (Noble) copped the $24,000 Open II, holding off Father Ted GB (Sutton) and Havefaithinme N (Hall) in 1:49.2—a new lifetime best. Christi Noble conditions the winner for Yves Sarrazin.
The $22,000 Open III went to General Dolan (Tetrick) in 1:50.4, despite coming off a three-week rest. The winner comes from leading trainer Tyler George’s barn. John and Robert Esposito own the seven-year-old Rockin Image gelding.
Miami Valley is dark Friday and Saturday, but will return to live racing Sunday through Thursday schedule on March 20 at 4:05 p.m.
(Miami Valley Raceway)