The combination of owner-breeder Emerald Highlands Farm, trainer Tim Lane and driver Tyler Smith teamed up for a hat trick on Friday at Miami Valley Raceway, winning all three of the races they entered. For Smith, the trio of winning drives on Lane-trained mares were three of a total of five he notched on the night.
Sweet Filly (1:52.2, $8.60 to win) started the string of successes by besting Keystone Eureka (Trace Tetrick) and Major Night Out (Chris Page) in a $15,000 distaff pace for non-winners of six races or $60,000. This triumph was the sixth for the four-year-old daughter of Sweet Lou and boosted her career bounty to $57,151.
Candy On The Beach (1:52.4, $7) was next to visit the winner’s circle for the red-hot connections. The four-year-old daughter of Somebeachsomewhere topped Duck Duck Dragon (Page) and Hoochie Girl (Josh Sutton) in a $12,600 conditioned race for mares. She now sports six wins as well with lifetime earnings of $58,318.
Fully A Virgin (1:53.1, $10.60) completed the Emerald Highlands-Lane-Smith Trifecta in a $14,400 tilt for conditioned pacing mares. Her come-from-behind tally bettered Spee Dee Shark (Jeremy Smith) and Rocking Zoe (Dan Noble). It was the 12th career victory for the five-year-old Always A Virgin lass, and boosted her purse earnings to $363,945.
The three winners are all Emerald Highlands Farm homebreds, a testament to the powerful broodmare band proprietor Bruce Trogdon has put together as well as his skill in pairing his fine mares with top stallions throughout the nation.
Lane pupils have now captured 11 of the first 50 races he has entered at Miami Valley thus far in 2021.
Smith’s other winners were trotter Swan Fashion (1:56.2, $4) for owner John Barnard and trainer Luis Quevedo); and Sweet Style (1:53.4, $15.60) for owner-trainer Jessica Smith.
Racing resumes at Miami Valley on Saturday (March 20) with a $22,500 Open Pace on tap plus a pair of first leg divisions of the Tom Tharps Memorial Series.
The Saturday program will also feature a $2446 carryover in the 50-cent Pick 5 wager on races 10-14. Post time is 4:05 p.m.
(Miami Valley Raceway)