by Miami Valley Raceway

Lebanon, OH — Won For Gigi rallied from sixth in the early going to capture the $25,000 championship of the Dr. Don Mossbarger Memorial Series on Friday night (April 6) at Miami Valley Raceway.

Conrad photo

RaceSecretary Gregg Keidel and co-owner (and caretaker) Tina Seekman greet Won ForGigi and driver Dan Noble in the winner’s circle.

Driver Dan Noble unleashed a wicked three-wide brush at the halfway point of the race and pulled even with pacesetter and runnerup Desire One (Chris Page) at the top of the stretch.

With all the momentum, Won For Gigi cruised home a 3-1/2 length winner in 1:53.4 over the rain dampened surface listed as good. Rockin Hot Lady (Trevor Smith) rode the pylons to a third place finish.

Joe Seekman trains the winning 4-year-old daughter of Santanna Blue Chip for his wife Tina and her partner L&L Devisser LLC. Won For Gigi’s lifetime bankroll soared past the $100,000 plateau with the triumph.

The series, for pacing mares who started the event without six pari-mutuel wins or $60,000, honors the memory of Dr. Don Mossbarger, a pillar in Ohio harness racing for many decades—primarily as the founder and patriarch of Midland Acres.

With the weather worsening, the $25,000 Mares Open Pace two races later resulted in a 12-1 upset by Colorful Sky (Aaron Merriman), who just edged 25-1 Dalianna (Randy Tharps) in 1:55.3. Zoe Ellasen (Tyler Smith), who set all the early fractions, held for third.

Nicole Stewart conditions the 6-year-old daughter of Skydancer Hanover for owner Grant Wilfong. It was the 20th win for Colorful Sky in just under 100 starts, boosting her career bounty to $165,727. Her backers got $27.80 for a $2 bet, while the exacta kicked back a whopping $520.20.

The Saturday night (April 7) card at Miami Valley will feature the $27,500 Tom Tharps Memorial championship race as well as a $23,000 Open Handicap. Post time is 6:05 p.m.