Cams Little Bit (Kyle Ater) overcame the dreaded nine-hole to capture the $17,500 championship final of the George ‘Red’ Owens Memorial late-closer at Miami Valley Raceway on Sunday afternoon (April 2).
Coming from far back early to close strongest of all, the three-year-old daughter of Feelin Friskie bested Rock N Roll Rosie (Jason Brewer) and Anna D (Chris Page) in 1:54.4. Favoured Melodies That Rock (Trace Tetrick), who has swept a pair of preliminary legs in convincing front-end fashion, cut all the fractions (:28, :57.4 and 1:25.4) once again, but faded to fifth-place through the lane.
Cams Little Bit was a maiden until March 14, but now has three wins in her last four starts her owner Forcum Enterprises Inc. Ohio Hall-of-Famer Dan Ater (Kyle’s father) conditions the winner, who doubled her career bankroll with the lion’s share of the $17,500 purse.
The Red Owens Memorial was restricted to fillies and mares without two pari-mutuel wins or $15,000 in lifetime earnings prior to the start of the three-week event.
The championship race was carded as the 12th race, which features 10-cent Buckeye High 5 (pentafecta) wagering on each card at Miami Valley. With Cams Little Bit, who went off at 14-1 odds, combined with Rock N Roll Rosie (4-1), Anna D (6-1), Velocity Kelli (24-1) and Melodies That Rock (4-5), no one solved the bet completely and a $2,647.54 carryover was the result.
When racing resumes at 2:05 p.m. on Monday (April 3) afternoon, Miami Valley officials predict that the total pool on the 12th race 10-cent Buckeye High 5 will likely exceed $5,000. The 12th race on Monday is an $8,000 condition race with a competitive full field of 10 pacing mares.
(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)