Ice Scraper, whose 1:50.1 triumph on April 4, 2015 still stands as the second fastest mile in Miami Valley Raceway history, notched his first local victory of 2016 when he scorched the five-eighths mile oval in 1:51 to capture the Saturday (Feb. 27) $20,000 Open Pace.
Leading driver Josh Sutton, who is averaging better than two wins per night through the first 35 programs of the current meet, sent the seven-year-old Yankee Skyscraper gelding directly to the front of the class when starter Mike Woebkenberg’s starting car wings opened, pressing through fractions of :26.4, :54.4 and 1:21.4 before holding sway over My Buddy Ninkster (Kayne Kauffman) and My Temudjin N (Chris Page), both of whom were lapped on to the winner at the wire.
Michael Brown trains Ice Scraper for owner James Behrendt, whose star pupil now boasts 32 career victories and over $400,000 in earnings. Ice Scraper's backers got a $12 return for each $2 wagered.
A $15,000 Open II Pace was captured by longshot Lookinforadventure (Kayne Kauffman) with a strong stretch drive at the end of the 1:51.3 mile. Carl Atley’s eight-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding collared runner-up Milliron Pete (Randy Tharps) in the final strides, while Thisjetsabookin (Sutton) picked up the show dough. In addition to producing a $27.20 win mutuel, Lookinforadventure topped a $2 exacta worth $253.40. He is trained by Danny Dubeansky.
Major Blue Coat (Sutton) and Stonebridge Adam (Page) each copped a division of first leg late-closer action for horses and geldings who were non-winners of $1,200 per start in 2015-16. It was the third win in four local starts for Major Blue Coat, who bested Rocknroll Reality (Jeremy Smith) and No Excuses Please (Page) in 1:52.4. A Piece Of The Action LLC owns the six-year-old son of Art Major, who is conditioned in Ohio by Jeff Nisonger.
It was also the third win in four starts for Stonebridge Adam, but the first at Miami Valley. Also a six-year-old, the son of Stonebridge Regal defeated E R Rudy (LeWayne Miller) and Manhattan Benny (John DeLong) for the Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. Kris Hinchcliff conditions the small segment of the powerful Ron Burke brigade currently racing in southwest Ohio.
Racing resumes at Miami Valley on Sunday afternoon with a 2:05 p.m. matinee. The highlight of the program should be the much anticipated showdown between top trotters Penn and Il Mago and seven other contenders in the $20,000 Open, carded as the sixth race.
(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)