Grand Circuit action produced two new track records on closing day of the 2015 meet at Miami Valley Raceway.
Reigning Aged Mare Trotter of the Year Classic Martine powered to the fastest trotting mile in the two-year history of Miami Valley, lowering the previous 1:53.3 record established by Maven in the same race -- the Miami Valley Distaff -- exactly a year ago to 1:52.2, a full second faster.
Despite drawing the outside number nine post position in the $86,500 race, driver Tim Tetrick sent Classic Martine directly on her way immediately reaching the quarter station on top in :27. At that point, Tetrick let favoured Shake It Cerry (Yannick Gingras) take the lead going to the :56 halfway station.
Daylon Miracle (Aaron Merriman) launched a first-over attack just past the half with Charmed Life (Jody Jamieson) in tow. Daylon Miracle had a neck advantage by the three-quarters with Shake It Cerry second, Charmed Life third and Classic Martine fourth.
At the top of the stretch, the field fanned out with six mares still within three lengths. Classic Martine had the most trot down the lane, holding off Charmed Life, who was making a strong bid along the pylons on the inside. Daylon Miracle hung on for third.
Off at 15-1 odds, the winner paid a healthy $32.20 and keyed an $81.80 exacta.
Chris Oakes trains Classic Martine, who became the sport’s newest million-dollar earner with the victory. The five-year-old daughter of Classic Photo is owned by Hauser Bros Racing, Susan Oakes, Conrad Zurich and Edwin Gold.
Yagonnakissmeornot established a new Miami Valley standard for pacing mares with her 1:50.3 triumph in the second annual $75,000 Chip Noble Memorial.
Driver Daniel Dube took full advantage of drawing the innermost post position, going gate-to-wire to top Table Talk (Jody Jamieson) by a neck, with Waasmula (James MacDonald) also lapped on at the finish.
Rene Allard trains Yagonnakissmeornot, who is now just about $33,000 shy of becoming a millionaire. She is owned by Allard Racing, Yves Sarrazin and Kapildeo Singh.
Off as a lukewarm favourite, the winning six-year-old daughter of The Panderosa returned $5.80 and headed a $72.80 exacta.
Handle on the 89-night Miami Valley meet was up an average of 28 per cent nightly over 2014 figures.
(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)