Another pair of 'Legends' champions were crowned at Miami Valley on Monday afternoon as Uncle Buck captured the $17,500 final of the Robert J. Brown Memorial Series and Canadian Rocker won the $17,500 George ‘Red’ Owens Memorial Series final.
The Brown Memorial featured trotters who started the late-closer as non-winners of two pari-mutuel races or $20,000. Uncle Buck (Trace Tetrick) dominated the championship tilt winning by over five lengths in 1:56.3.
The sophomore son of Stormin Normand bested Bazaar Bazaar (Kyle Wilfong) and Just Friends (Jimmy Smith) after favoured Ultra Muscle made an untimely break in stride behind the starting car. Steve Bauder trains the colt for owner Wayne Temple, who greeted the colt in the winner’s circle. As the public’s second choice Uncle Buck paid $6.20 to win.
The Owens Memorial was a test for similarly green pacing fillies and mares. Canadian Rocker (Mike Peterson) edged Rosylipsnredcheeks (Jason Brewer) in a very tight photo finish, after heavily-favoured and undefeated frontrunner Docs Ravenna (Charlie Conrad) faltered in the stretch to finish third.
Richard Nash and Randall Newcom own the winning four-year-old daughter of Rockin Image who learned all her early lessons on the Indiana fair circuit. Peterson also trains Canadian Rocker, who was dispatched at 7-1 odds.
A $22,000 Open Handicap Trot was also contested on the matinee program with the six-year-old mare Churita (Trace Tetrick) again topping the boys, this time in a sporty 1:53.1. Another Breath (Jason Brewer) launched a bold move to the front just after Churita clocked a :27 opening quarter, but Churita was back out right after the :55.4 half to regain the lead prior to the 1:24 three-quarters and cruise to a three-length victory, the 32nd of her illustrious career.
With earnings now exceeding $800,000, Churita — owned by Porterprofessionalservice -- will likely be one of the favourites when the $100,000 (est.) Miami Valley Distaff Grand Circuit Trot goes postward on closing day of the MVG meet, May 7.
Leading driver Trace Tetrick copped five victories on the day, while dash derby runner-up Dan Noble was home first on four occasions.
(Miami Valley)