Velocity Poprocks sweeps to Open victory

LEBANON, OH. – Velocity Poprocks (Pet Rock), who competed in a $50,000 claiming race just a month ago, completed his notable climb through the harness racing ranks with a win in the Thursday (April 23) $33,000 Open I at Miami Valley.

The dramatically improved eight year old son of Pet Rock equaled his lifetime best winning time of 1:50.2 for driver Austin Hanners, trainer Steve Carter and relatively new Standardbred owner Richard Mamie.

A runnerup in the weekly feature last week, Velocity Poprocks benefitted by the absence of Let It Ride N who took a week off after winning five out of the last six Opens. Hanners got away fifth during the first :27.2 panel, was shuffled to sixth at the :55 halfway point and three quarters beam in 1:22.1.

With a closing kick home in :27.3 Hanners was able to collar and pass his adversaries while three wide on the final bend for a half-length victory. Later Dudes (Chris Page), who cut the mile, tried valiantly to hold the lead but was forced to settle for second. Favored Rollinlikethunder (Trace Tetrick) edged Incredible Man (Jeremy Smith) for the show dough.

The top three finishers were all timed in 1:50.2.

VELOCITY POPROCKS REPLAY

A $30,000 Open II was won by Double Metal (Brett Miller) over E Mode’s Desire (Mike Peterson) and Rose Run Ulysses (Kayne Kauffman) in 1:51.2. The five-year-old Betting Line-sired gelding won for the fourth time in ten seasonal starts for owner Rick Berks and trainer Kris Hinchcliff.

DOUBLE METAL REPLAY

The Ohio Harness Horsemens Association conducted its first ever Charity Night with ten regional charities each drawing a horse in the eighth race with a purse of $21,000. A large group of supporters of the various charities gathered for food, beverage and fun in the clubhouse—all eager to cheer their designated horse on to victory. The first place charity received a $10,000 donation from the OHHA. The runnerup got $5000, the show finisher $3000 and the remaining seven worthwhile local charities each received $2000.

Racing resumes Monday (April 24) with the first of four $50,000 James K. Hackett Memorial championship races over the next four days. The sophomore Ohio-sired trotting fillies will be in the spotlight on Monday. Post time is 4 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

From Miami Valley Raceway