Lebanon, OH — Miami Valley leading trainer Ron Burke won four races on the night, while new co-leading driver Chris Page won five, including teaming up to win four and to sweep the co-featured Open I & II paces on Sunday night (March 22).
In the co-featured $32,000 Open II, Burke trainee Rick Wink left from the gate and had to work hard to clear for the lead as he led a single file field past the quarter in :26.4. From there, Page was able to tap the brakes and control a nice second quarter breather as Downbythedanceclub worked into a first-over position past the half in :55.3. As the field moved up the backside, Page stepped on the gas while Downbythedanceclub slowly closed on the leader. As they passed three-quarters in 1:23, Downbythedanceclud had pulled to within a neck and the two began to battle nose to nose around the turn, opening up on pocket sitting Swaggy Cal. Turning for home, Rick Wink edged away and opened up with minimal urging, winning by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:50.2. Downbythedanceclub finished second while Im Skinnydipin N closed for third.
For Rick Wink, it was his initial win of the season and his 14th lifetime win in just 28 starts.
Later, in the $36,000 Open Handicap, Racing Rebel left hard to secure the front, taking the field past the quarter in :27. As they moved towards the half, last week’s Open winner Gem Quality pulled first over to challenge Racing Rebel past the half in :55.3. With Racing Rebel unleashing a :26.3 backside (1:22.1), Gem Quality continued to hang strong on the outside while a game Oakwood Heymiki Ir closed in from the back after making a three-wide move into a second-over position. Moving into the stretch, Racing Rebel edged clear of a tiring Gem Quality while Oakwood Heymiki IR continued to close steadily on the outside as Alta Revelry N used a pocket trip to advance up the inside. Racing Rebel was able to resist the challengers at the wire, hanging on by a head to defeat Oakwood Heymiki Ir in 1:49.4. Alta Revelry finished third by a neck.
For Racing Rebel, it was also his first winning effort of the year and 18th career win, pushing his lifetime earnings to just shy of $500,000.
Burke also reached the winner’s circle Sunday with Night Shadow (1:51) and Martins Millions (1:50.2). Page moving into a tie with David Miller for the meet lead with 102 wins. Page won four with Burke and one for trainer Steve Carter (Outlaw Aceofspades 1:51.1).
Racing action will return on Monday afternoon (March 23) with a post time of 4 p.m.