Marloe Hanover held off Princess Rockette and Gone Girl to win the $26,000 Mares Open Handicap at Miami Valley on Tuesday (March 22).
It was the third-consecutive win for the five-year-old daughter of Captaintreacherous, including a half-length tally over Drama Act before that rival headed to Yonkers to success in the first leg of the prestigious Matchmaker series.
With nemesis Drama Act and Rose Run Vision absent, the public dispatched Marloe Hanover at 4-5 odds and the winner of $653,182 did not disappoint. Her 1:52 tally over a damp track, slowed only slightly by intermittent rain shower, was her fourth in nine 2022 starts in addition to one place and three show finishes. While her lead was diminishing in the stretch, Marloe Hanover seemed well in hand at the wire.
Virgil Morgan Jr., who is closing in on 7,000 training victories, conditions Marloe Hanover for the Let It Ride and J L Benson Stables of Florida. Brett Miller was in the bike.
A pair of divisions of opening leg action in the George “Red” Owens Memorial Series were contested, pitting fillies and mares that are non-winners of two pari-mutuel races or $20,000 head-to-head. Always B Gigi (Tyler Smith, $9.20) proved best in the first split, beating Fear The Smoothie and Alwaysatorable in 1:54.4. Jason Irwin, a second trainer in the Ron Burke Stable, conditions and co-owns the four-year-old daughter of Always B Miki with John Irwin Jr.
Amy L (Hank Le Van, $5.40) coasted home a winner in the second division, beating Rose Run Galaxy and Catamaran in 1:54. It was the first 2022 victory in nine tries for the four-year-old daughter of Pet Rock, who is owned by the Le Van Stables of Woodstock, Ohio.
Racing resumes Wednesday (March 23) at Miami Valley featuring three $17,500 first leg divisions of the Dr. Dan Farwick Memorial Series for trotters without six pari-mutuel wins or $60,000 in earnings. Post time is 4:05 p.m. (EDT).
(Miami Valley Raceway)