A pair of $15,000 eliminations in the James K. Hackett Memorial division for trotting colts and a milestone accomplishment by driver Chris Page were highlights of the Tuesday, April 10 matinee card at Miami Valley Raceway.
Pass The Vape crushed a field of three-year-old Ohio-sired colts in 1:55.1. The son of Dejarmbro—with just four starts and $6,169 in earnings as a two-year-old—turned a two-hole trip into a three-and-one-quarter length romp over Sultan Of Cash and Banker Twentyfive. Also qualifying for the $40,000 championship next Tuesday were fourth-place finisher In My Dreams and fifth-place finisher Bealot.
Pass The Vape is a homebred owned by Lionel Watiker, whose son Derek Watiker was in the sulky. Sent at 18-1, he paid $38.20 to win.
Sand Cash, a recent acquisition by the Ron Burke Stable, won the second split in 1:56.4. Driver Chris Page rushed the son of Cash Hall to the front, briefly relinquished the lead to eventual runner-up Two O B Wonkenobi between the quarter and the half, then cruised to a three-and-one-half length score. Third-place finisher Ride The Rails and fourth-place finisher MVP Luke also advanced to the $40,000 championship.
In addition to Burke Racing Stable, new partners on Sand Cash are Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Richard Lombardo and Josh Green.
Chris Page surpassed the $30 million earnings plateau when he won with Clarksville Boy in the day’s second race. The 34-year-old Mt. Vernon, Ohio native has been driving since 2000, with his career taking off by age 22. He has totaled over 1,000 wins in 2016 and 2017 alone, earning $10 million in purses.
Page continues his success in 2018. He currently ranks third in the Miami Valley dash standings and has accumulated over 100 wins and over $1.1 million in purse earnings in the first 100 days of this calendar year.
(With files from Miami Valley)