from Miami Valley Raceway

Lebanon, OH — A shortened field of seven open trotters, reduced by two scratches, went postward over a track dampened by the season’s first serious thaw in Sunday’s (Jan 18) featured $16,500 event. When the battle ended it was War Cry Hall, owned by RBH Ventures, Inc. and trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. that prevailed in 1:59.3. The front stepping winner outlasted a fast-closing Whit with Mischievous Jesse also finishing strong to garner the show dough. It was the second 2015 win for War Cry Hall who stepped into open company after capturing the top conditioned trot a week ago.

Conrad photo

War Cry Hall holds off Whit and Mischievous Jesse to capture the $16,500 Open Trot at Miami Valley on Sunday.

Finalists were also determined on Sunday in two of the eight “Claim To Fame” series currently being conducted at Miami Valley.

In the division for $20,000 claiming horses and geldings, the finalists—in order of earnings in the two preliminary legs—are Blue Fin and Dabestleaderever, who tied for first with a win and a place finish each; Littlebitaclass, Tomitta Bayama, Saulsbrook Astrobo, Rustys No Fool, Ideal Race, Volo and Vincent Vega. If any finalist fails to declare, the first also-eligible is Big Time Rocks. With five different winners in the five preliminary races, the $25,000 championship next Sunday promises to be a hum-dinger.

Finalists for the pacing claiming mares $5,000 division will be Bittersweet Best, Dawn Of New Money, Debi’s Sign, Luna Hanover, EE Bay, Miss HKB, Charolettes Maggie, She Can Attack and either LCB Sandy or Bonnie’s Beach, who tied for the ninth and final spot. There were four different winners in the four preliminary races in this section too, so a competitive $10,000 championship race is also expected.