Mares’ noses apart in Open Handicap

It’s always exciting in harness racing when the photo finish camera is needed to declare the winner of a race and that was the case at Miami Valley Raceway Thursday (Jan. 26) in the $28,000 Fillies & Mares Open Handicap Pace.

The 10th race feature saw an immediate battle for control of the lead as race favorite Alexa Skye (Tyler Smith) was first on the lead then Marloe Hanover (Captaintreacherous) and driver Brett Miller had left from post six and got to the front. That lead was short lived as Smith quarter moved and went right back to the front after the opening quarter mile in :27.3.

Alexa Skye won that early battle and then cut the mile to the half in :56.3 and the three-quarters in 1:25. She’sonebadmomma (Chris Page) came moving up first-over in the backstretch but started to fade by the top of the stretch.

Alexa Skye and Smith were in command starting down the stretch, but Miller came after them with Marloe Hanover and was gaining ground with every stride. Alexa Skye dug in coming to the wire, but Marloe Hanover was a nose to the good in 1:53.4. Grace Rocks (Dan Noble) closed from 8th place at the top of the stretch to be third.

MARLOE HANOVER REPLAY

It was the first win in two starts for Marloe Hanover. The six-year-old mare is trained by Virgil Morgan, Jr. for the Let It Ride Stable, Inc. and J L Benson Stable, Inc. of Florida. She paid $8.20 to win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink