The seventh season of live harness racing at Miami Valley Raceway kicks off with five straight days of 14-race programs on Friday night, Jan. 3 at 6:05 p.m.
Opening weekend is chock full of nine- and ten-horse fields with a trio of enhanced $30,000 purse Open events highlighting the cards. With an estimated total purse account nearing $15 million for the 87-day meet, Miami Valley will race for some of the highest purses in North America over the next four months.
My Tweed Heart (Brett Miller) has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favourite in Friday's $30,000 Mares Open Handicap by handicapper Rick Stevens-Gleason, followed by Allbeastnobeauty (Tyler Smith, 7-2), Always Giggling (John DeLong, 4-1), Rosemary Rose (Chris Page, 9-2) and Newsday (Kayne Kauffman, 6-1).
The seven-year-old favourite, trained by Virgil Morgan, Jr., is the richest mare in the field with $556,678 in career earnings. The daughter of Manhardt is owned by Winners Circle Stable LLC and Phil Harris of Columbus, Ohio.
Im A Big Deal (Brett Miller) got the 5-2 nod over Fan Of Terror (John DeLong, 3-1) in Saturday's $30,000 Open Handicap for horses and geldings.
The five-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere won his first start at Hollywood Dayton after being plucked from the Harrisburg sale by owner Dana Parham and trainer Virgil Morgan, Jr. Since he has reeled off three straight runner-up finishes in the weekly Southwest Ohio feature, the last two to Fan Of Terror who is assigned outside this week.
Other stalwarts given a good chance are My Hero Ron (Tyler Smith, 4--1), Granite (Jeremy Smith, 5-1) and Tyd Theglyde (Trace Tetrick, 8-1).
The $30,000 Open Trot will be presented on Tuesday afternoon and is sure to include most of the Midwest's top square gaiters.
Three of North America's winningest drivers will compete throughout the opening week at Miami Valley--Brett Miller, Trace Tetrick and Chris Page.
The regular schedule from Jan. 3 through May 3 will be Friday and Saturday evening programs followed by Sunday, Monday and Tuesday matinees.
"Track Superintendent Jimmy Shelton has done a great job getting the racing surface in the best possible shape," said Race Secretary Gregg Keidel. "With the abundant horse supply, outstanding purses and elite drivers colony here at Miami Valley, I expect our seventh season to showcase some of the best racing you'll find anywhere! Let the good times roll!!!"
(Miami Valley Raceway)