Im Offngone N won her second straight Mares Open at Miami Valley on Thursday (April 20), using a strong stretch brush to collar Single Girl and Trick Of The Light in 1:51.2.
Driver Trevor Smith, despite being a lukewarm favourite in the $36,000 race, was content to get away fifth with the daughter of Somebeachsomewhere through opening panels of :27 and :55.3. Single Girl (Tyler Smith) lead the charge to the quarter then relinquished the lead to Trick Of The Light who tripped the halfway beam. Shortly after the half, however, Smith pulled to the outside and was able to flush cover in the form of Coral Reef Hanover (Brady Galliers). Second over position proved to be the place to be as the three quarter timer flashed 1:23.1. Im Offngone N sped home in :28 to wear down the pacesetters in deep stretch.
Greg Luther Racing LLC owns Im Offngone N, who raised her earnings to $211,668 with her 14th career triumph. Todd Luther conditions the winner for his brother.
Two $20,000 James K. Hackett Memorial splits were contested on Thursday with the top finishers advancing to the $50,000 final on April 27. Winners of the races, restricted to Ohio-sired three-year-old colts, were Act Fast (Chris Page), who topped Mossys Dragon (Ronnie Wrenn) and Low Rider (Trace Tetrick) in 1:51.2. Also advancing to the championship tilt was Dunkin (Nick Clegg).
Dynamite Dylan (Wrenn) scored in 1:52.1 in the second division despite leaving from the outmost post position eight. Wicked Character (Page), Koa (Tyler Smith), BR Kruser (Tony Hall) and Stonecold Cruiser (Dan Noble) also qualified for the lucrative final.
Miami Valley is dark until Sunday, April 22, when races begin at 4 p.m. There are two weeks, packed with exciting stakes action, left in the 2023 meet.
(Miami Valley Raceway)