Well over $1 million in purses will be up for grabs during Miami Valley Raceway’s closing weekend this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (May 6-8).
A total of $381,000 will be doled out following the Friday program, which includes eight $40,000 divisions of first leg Ohio Sires Stakes action for three-year-old pacing and trotting fillies. The 2015 champion Miss Me Yet, who won the $225,000 OHSS final for freshman pacing fillies last September, will begin her defense of the title in the sixth race, one of five pacing divisions, for the Teague Racing Stable and driver Montell Teague. Other stakes winning two-year-olds who are hopeful of a winning start towards qualifying for Ohio’s big prize, the $250,000 Ohio Sires Stakes championship at Northfield Park on September 3, include Johns Sunny Girl, Big Bad Ashley, She Gone, My Tweed Heart, Queen Ann M, Ohsowigglesspecial, and Naked By Nine.
Filly trotters will go postward in three divisions with defending champion Count On Kami beginning her title defense in Friday’s fourth race. She will face a stiff challenge from Kerfuffle Cookie, who established a divisional Miami Valley track record of 1:57.1 in her final OHSS tune up. Other notable stakes winning freshman fillies commencing their 2016 stakes seasons include Consolidator, Oneeyedmomma, Bellesvictoryring and Evanora.
The Saturday night card will feature multiple Ohio Sires Stakes divisions for the Buckeye state’s best sophomore pacing and trotting colts. A strong undercard will include a $20,000 Open Pace as well as a full menu of higher price claiming events.
The Grand Circuit comes to Miami Valley on closing day, Sunday (May 8). A pair of $100,000 stakes races for North America’s best older pacing and trotting mares will be featured, plus a $20,000 Open for both pacing mares and a $20,000 Open Trot.
Notables expected for the $100,000 Sam ‘Chip’ Noble Memorial for pacers include Colors A Virgin, Yagonnakissmeornot, Katie Said, Purrfect Bags, Coffee Addict, Lady Shadow, Show Runner and Safe From Terror.
The $100,000 Miami Valley Distaff trot starters will likely include Barn Doll, Churita, Daylon Miracle, Hannelore Hanover, Like Old Times, Oho Diamond, Rockin With Dewey and Smokinmombo.
(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)