Lebanon, OH — Despite heavy rainfall and strong winds, veteran pacing warrior Mykindachip (Chris Page) turned back eight rivals to capture the Saturday night (March 30) $25,000 Open I feature at Miami Valley Raceway.

Mykindachip turned back eight rivals to capture the Saturday night $25,000 Open I feature at Miami Valley Raceway. Conrad photo.

The 10-year-old son of Art’s Chip narrowly outlasted fast-closing longshot Class Six (Randy Tharps) by a nose with My Hero Ron (Tyler Smith) just a half-length back. The top six finishers were all lapped on (within one length) to each other at the wire, with two more within 2-1/4 lengths of the winner.

The winning time of 1:56.1 was over six seconds slower than last Saturday’s Open I, but was impressive nevertheless in light of the weather conditions during the race.

Page got away fifth with the Ron Burke trainee, moved up to third on the outside at the half, advanced to second in the outer flow as the field passed the three-quarter station, then closed well to front a cavalry charge of contenders in the stretch. Because the half was reached in a relatively pedestrian :57.2 — even in light of the trying weather conditions — every horse in the field sped the final quarter in a sub :29 clocking.

Mykindachip is owned by Burke Racing, J & T Silva Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Larrry Karr. With this 56th victory in 203 lifetime starts, he now has earned $890,532.

A $20,000 Open II Pace resulted in an eye-popping 1:52.3 winner in Sectionline Bigry (Tyler Smith). The 4-year-old son of Ohio sire Pet Rock swept from fourth at the midway point to a six length victory over Whiskey Friskie (Randy Tharps) and Hot Rod Dylan (Jason Brewer).

The homebred is out of the prolific mare Aquatic Yankee, who has produced a host of outstanding sons and daughters for owners Harold Lee and Harold L. Bauder. Steve Bauder has trained the winner to nine wins and just under $200,000 in earnings in his first two years of competition.

A pair of $17,500 divisions of the Tom Tharps Memorial Series determined the nine finalists for next Saturday’s $27,500 championship tilt.

Cheese Melt (Page) captured the first split in 1:53.2 over Sand Sterling (Brett Miller) and Somebeachsomeday (Trevor Smith). The 4-year-old by Betterthancheddar raced just four nights ago in the Sagamore Series final at Yonkers, but survived the long ship and short turnaround in fine fashion for trainer Ron Burke.

The second split was clocked in 1:52.2 as Rockin Speed (Travis Seekman) scored over Bluebird Recon (Miller) and Velocity Smoke (Dan Noble). Joe Seekman conditions the 4-year-old son of Rockin Image for L & L Devisser. An eight-time winner in just 37 starts, Rockin Speed has now banked more than $135,000.

The top three finishers from each division all advance to the lucrative championship final, where they will be joined by a trio of other serious contenders — Gerardo, Reagans Avenger and Noah Z Tam.

Racing resumes Sunday afternoon at Miami Valley, the first of four matinees in the coming week. The southwest Ohio oval regularly races on Monday and Tuesday afternoons as well, plus has added a make-up program this Thursday (April 4).