Miami Valley Raceway will commence its eighth season of live harness racing on Sunday (Jan. 3) with a 14 race program starting at 2:05 p.m. (EST). The matinee is the first of 87 cards scheduled between now and May 3.
The southwest Ohio five-eighths mile oval will host matinees at 2:05 p.m. on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays each week, and feature 4:05 p.m. (EST) twilight programs on Fridays and Saturdays.
The 2021 season will kick off with a $30,000 claiming pace for a $15,750 purse in the first race, one of two such events on the card. Other highlights include a $13,500 conditioned claiming pace for non-winners of 10 races carrying $40,000 claiming tags and a $12,600 conditioned trot for non-winners of $6000 in their last four starts.
Secret Threat (driver Trace Tetrick) has been installed the 2-1 morning-line favourite in the initial race by oddsmaker Rick Stevens-Gleason, followed by Never Say Never N (Josh Sutton, 5-2) and Hal N Sammy (Tyler Smith, 5-1). When the second division of $30,000 claimers step onto the track, Itsgoodtobedaking (Brett Miller, 3-1) will be morning line favorite, getting a slight nod over Voracity (Tetrick, 7-2) and Modern Rock AS (Jason Brewer, 9-2).
Loutenant (Dan Noble, 3-1) is the early favorite in the top condition/claimer, getting top billing over Upfront And Gone (Brandon Bates, 7-2) and World On Edge (Sam Widger, 9-2).
Its A Herbie (LeWayne Miller) will open the betting at 2-1 in the top trot of the day. Whether Or Not Fi (Tetrick, 3-1) will also get strong consideration, as will Muscular Babe (Kyle Wilfong, 9-2).
The month of January will feature nine separate "Claim To Fame" series for horses of varying values, ranging from $8,000 to $30,000 divided by sex (pacers) and gait. Nomination forms can be downloaded at: Home - Miami Valley Gaming, then clicking Racing/Horsemens Information/Forms. Deadline for receiving nominations is Jan. 5.
(Miami Valley)