Lebanon, OH — Gem Quality went gate-to-wire to win the featured $36,000 Open Handicap on Sunday night (March 15) at Miami Valley Raceway.
Leaving from post three, the 9-2 second choice was fired off the wings by Luke Hanners as the field settled in behind him past an opening quarter of :26.2. From there it was the first turn into the heavy, gusting winds that played havoc with quarter times as Gem Quality led the field past the stands for the first time. As they approached the half turn, 1-2 favorite Little Rocket Man pulled first over from fourth, towing with him Revolt and Rock The Hill.
As they passed the half in :55.4 and turned up the backside, wind at their backs, Gem Quality stepped on the gas and started to open up as Rose Run Zane did his best to stay in touch but started to lose ground as they neared three quarters. Little Rocket Man’s first over bid stalled, as he never got closer than three lengths while Gem Quality laid down a :26.2 third quarter (1:22.1). Turning for home, Gem Quality opened up by four lengths on Rose Run Zane and Little Rocket Man and held that lead until shutting it down near the wire to win by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:50.3. Rose Run Zane finished second while Little Rocket Man paced third.
For Gem Quality, it was his third win of the year, 17th overall, but only his second Open company win during his short racing career of 57 starts, with his last coming in the Preferred at Woodbine last June. Bouncing around between overnights and FFA Stakes last year, Gem Quality faced a lot of tough competition, but has recently found his form finishing second in the Open two weeks ago and winning the Open II in January.
Brett Miller, Trevor Smith and Luke Hanners each had a driving triple on the card while trainer Adam Short had a double.
Racing action returns on Monday afternoon (March 15), with a scheduled post time of 4 p.m.