Track record holder heads Miami Valley Open

Track record holder Spitfire Oversees (International Moni) headlines top harness racing trotters as they take the center stage at Miami Valley Racetrack on Monday (March 25th) in the $34,000 Open Handicap Trot.

The four-year-old Stacey Van Huzen trainee stamped himself as the fastest trotter in Miami Valley history on March 4th when he blitzed conditioned rivals in 1:51.1, crushing them by 12 lengths. He then came back a week later to win at the Open level for the first time, cutting the mile and prevailing by a head. He ran his record to four wins from nine starts in 2024, good for close to $55,000 in earnings.

Regular driver Brett Miller will once again be in the bike guiding Spitfire Oversees, who starts from the widest post (eight) and goes for fractional ownership group The Stable. Despite coming off a win at this level, Spitfire Oversees is co-third choice in the morning line at 9 to 2.

Caviar Gold (Triumphant Caviar), who won the Open II on March 11th, is the 7 to 2 morning line favorite. The gelded five-year-old Chris Beaver trainee led most of the way as the 2 to 5 favorite that night and took his first win of the year to go with one second and one third from three starts.

Beaver co-owns Caviar Gold with partners Bill Manes, Leo Fleming and Steven Zeehandelar. A win in this Open would push his earnings over $480,000. Caviar Gold will be driven by Chris Page.

Flemsteen (Explosive Matter) led all the way to win last week’s Open Trot and he is the morning line second choice at 4 to 1.

The altered Chris Beaver trainee has been the model of consistency in his four plus years of racing, compiling a 20-19-15 record from 90 starts, for an excellent in-the-money percentage of 60%. He has earned more than $478,000 and he will race for Beaver and partners Bill Manes and RBH Ventures Inc. Tyler Smith drives.

Scorecard Dan (Dover Dan) has yet to win in 2024, but he finished second in five of his last six starts, most recently notching seconds in two consecutive Open Trots that were won by Spitfire Oversees and Flemsteen.

The gelded five-year-old Michelle Nevin trainee was a five-time winner in 25 starts last year, so that initial 2024 win likely isn’t far off. Scorecard Dan goes for owners Green Acres Llc, Mike Klimas and David Neilsen as a 9 to 2 morning line choice. Sam Widger will handle the lines for the second straight week.

Bella Button N (Waterloo Sunset) is the only mare in the Open Trot field, but she comes into the race on a roll. The Christi Noble pupil has won three straight after starting her 2024 with two second place finishes.

The eight-year-old mare added Lasix last week and defeated Renegade Gypsy, who came back to win the Hoosier Park Open Trot on March 23rd. She is 5 to 1 in the morning line and Dan Noble will handle her for owners James Morris, Norma Rae Racing Llc and Dennis Owens.

Here is the full field for the Open Handicap Trot which goes as race 8 in the 14-race card and is scheduled to go at 6:34 p.m.

1. Lane Of Stone – Jeremy Smith – 15/1

2. Predator and Prey – Trace Tetrick – 12/1

3. Caviar Gold – Chris Page – 7/2

4. Bella Button N – Dan Noble – 5/1

5. Scorecard Dan – Sam Widger – 9/2

6. Rose Run Valor – Kayne Kaufman – 5/1

7. Flemsteen – Tyler Smith – 4/1

8. Spitfire Oversees – Brett Miller – 9/2

The $31,000 Open II goes as Race 9 and it is headlined by 5 to 2 morning line favorite Sandis Commando L (Break The Bank), who shoots for a third straight win as the only mare in the field.

Driver/trainer Hank Levan co-owns the five-year-old with Rosemary and Megan Levan and Max Perry. She has compiled a 11-21-9 record from 75 starts and earned more than $237,000. Sandis Commando L is sure to flash her potent gate speed leaving from post two.

Angel Nation (Archangel) is the only other starter in this field that comes in off a win. The seven-year-old gelding led all the way in a non-winners of $9,001 last four conditioned race, carving out a big :55.4 opening half then increasing his lead throughout on his way to a 1:55.3 score, jogging by 3 3/4 lengths. Trace Tetrick drove that night and he is once again in the bike.

Northfield Park invader Don’t Take My Keys (Uncle Peter) could be one to watch here. He comes in off a second-place finish in the March 17th Open Handicap that was won in remarkable fashion by John Dutton, who parked the mile without cover and still drew away to win.

Don’t Take My Keys was a winner at Miami Valley on February 12th, easily handling a non-winners of $11,001 last 4 field, drawing off to a 2 1/2-length win in 1:54.4. Ryan Stahl drives and trains for owners Nichole Stahl and Mary Stucky.

Here is the field for the Open II Trot, which will go as race 9 and is scheduled for 6:56 p.m.

1. Mickey Z Tam – Chris Page – 20/1

2. Sandis Commando L – Hank Levan – 5/2

3. Dontforgetlittlman – Luke Hanners – 20/1

4. Bold Strategy – Kayne Kaufman – 8/1

5. Robert’s Hanover – Jeremy Smith – 3/1

6. Don’t Take My Keys – Ryan Stahl – 9/2

7. Skyway Kon Man – Dan Noble – 4/1

8. Angel Nation – Trace Tetrick – 5/1

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink