Twenty, a promising Well Said filly from the Ron Burke barn, was crowned champion of the Robert J. “Skeeter” Brown Series for relatively green pacing fillies and mares on Tuesday (April 5) at Miami Valley.
Making just her 10th start, the winner topped Rocksette by over three lengths with Rose Run Galaxy overcoming an outside post to finish third.
Driver Chris Page chose to settle Twenty in fourth during the :28.3 quarter but rushed to the front as the field passed the grandstand the first time on the five-eighths mile oval. After the halfway timer flashed :57.4, Page was able to cruise to the three-quarters in 1:25.3 and through the finish line in 1:53.3.
The time represented a lifetime mark for Twenty, who is likely headed next to the James K. Hackett Memorial late closer at Miami Valley—the annual unofficial start to the Ohio stakes season. Three-year-old Buckeye-bred pacing fillies will gather for $20,000 elimination races on Tuesday, April 19 with a $50,000 final scheduled for Tuesday, April 26.
Another pair of drivers, Dan Noble and Brett Miller, reached the 100 wins plateau for the current meeting on Tuesday, joining Trace Ettrick who accomplished the feat in mid-March. A total of five local drivers have already exceeded $1 million in purse winnings during the first 64 days of the 87-day 2022 session.
Miami Valley races again on Wednesday (April 6) with the normal 4:05 p.m. (EDT) post time.
(Miami Valley Raceway)