Alexa Skye gets goose egg off the win column

 LEBANON, OH – Alexa Skye (Somebeachsomewhere) and harness racing driver Tyler Smith has been knocking on the door for six straight starts, with three place finishes and three show finishes, and finally burst through on Thursday (Feb. 16) in the $28,000 Mares Open Pace at Miami Valley Raceway.

Owned by Odds On Racing and trained by Virgil Morgan Jr., Alexa Skye beat Rose Run Vision (Brad Ferguson) by a neck with favored Im Offngone N (Trevor Smith) a mere half a length back.

Smith left aggressively from the six slot behind the gate only to find himself parked in third at the :26.3 quarter mile marker.  Still second on the outside of Im Offngone N at the :57 midway point, Alexa Skye still had a length to make up with a quarter of a mile to go.

The field was tightly bunched all the way down the stretch with the winner edging Rose Run Vision and Im Offngone N.

ALEXA SKYE REPLAY

It was just the second win in 13 starts in 2022-23, although she has banked $72,500 in that span.  Career wise, Alexa Skye has won $367,469 with 20 triumphs and a 1:49.4 lifetime best.

Co-featured on the program was a $37,500 Claim To Fame championship tilt for $30,000 claimers.  Brett Miller found room along the cones to sneak Owen (Sagebrush) through for a 1:53.3 victory over Sunuma Beach (Dan Noble) and Babes Dig Me (Trace Tetrick).

Trainer Jason Brewer claimed Owen on behalf of owner Ameer Najor the week before the series started for $20,000, then proceeded to sweep all three legs and earn $45,000 in quick order.

OWEN REPLAY

Tyler Smith was the dominant driver on the day, winning four times.  Included in those wins was the aforementioned Mares Open Pace as well as a couple North American debuts with In The Spotlight N and Kashed Up A in high conditioned races.  Both horses are now trained by Jeff Cullipher, who owns the Down Under star performers with Pollack Racing LLC.

Miami Valley is dark until Sunday (Feb. 19) when it will present 14 live races beginning at 4 p.m.  Programs are always available on the track’s website by clicking “Racing” and scrolling to the bottom of the page.

For complete race results, click here.

From Miami Valley Raceway