Lebanon, OH — Rose Run Valor used a ground-saving trip and an opening up the stretch to score a 1:53.1 upset in Miami Valley’s $30,000 Open Handicap Trot on Wednesday (April 12).

Rose Run Valor never left the pylons during the 1:53.1 mile. Conrad photo.

Trainer-driver Kayne Kauffman, whose wife Natalie owns the 6-year-old son of Uncle Peter, rushed from the gate and fell neatly into the two-hole behind Smoking Jet (Chris Page), the reigning Ohio Older Trotter of the Year based on his 16 win, $245,685 season in 2022. Content to sit in the pocket while Smoking Jet posted fractional times of :27.3, :56.4 and 1:24.2, Kauffman and Rose Run Valor never left the pylons during the 1:53.1 mile.

The Mighty Hill (Trevor Smith), favored off two consecutive wins in the Open before two weeks off, took up the chase at the half and was lapped on to Smoking Jet, the most recent Open winner, at the three-quarter marker. As Smoking Jet and The Mighty Hill duked it out down the stretch, Rose Run Valor found a seam to advance on the inside and eventually eeked out a narrow head decision.

Rose Run Valor paid $22.40 to win. The exacta with Smoking Jet was worth $109.80 and a 50-cent trifecta including The Mighty Hill kicked back $165.45.

It was the 20th win in Rose Run Valor’s career and raised his lifetime bounty to $257,949. The mile also equaled the winner’s lifetime best clocking.

Racing resumes Thursday (April 13) at Miami Valley with the normal 4 p.m. post time.