from Miami Valley Raceway

Lebanon, OH — Up Front Kellie Jo hopped into Miami Valley Raceway on Easter Sunday and hopped out with her fifth straight Open Mares victory in the Buckeye State, the first four coming at Northfield Park.

Conrad photo

Up Front Kellie Jo was a narrow winner on Sunday at Miami Valley Raceway.

The 8-year-old Bettor’s Delight mare is obviously as sharp as ever, despite her advanced age, as she prevailed over Y Mach Me (Kyle Ater) by a head in 1:52. Bazooka Terror (Randy Tharps) was a half-length away at the wire.

Driver Josh Sutton left like a bunny who had backed into a porcupine and got the lead in less than an eighth of a mile despite being assigned the outside nine-hole. The favored winner raced unchallenged through moderate fractions before stepping on the gas at the three-quarter station. Although she responded well, the others did make the race quite interesting and were closing furiously at the finish.

Up Front Kellie Jo is owned by Ed Mullinax and Mark Ford and trained by Rob Harmon.

The triumph was one of three for Sutton on the holiday program. Jeremy Smith and Dan Noble also fashioned driving doubles on the nine-race card.