from Miami Valley Raceway

Lebanon, OH — Twilight Bonfire captured the $15,500 Open Handicap pace at Miami Valley Raceway on Saturday night (Feb. 21), inching within $6,000 of becoming a million dollar earner for owner-breeder Robert J. Key. The 5-year-old stud horse by The Panderosa has made the most of his 64 career starts, winning 14 of them and banking $994,060. This score was the second in three tries in local open company with the first being a track-record equaling 1:51.1 effort the last day of January. Twilight Bonfire swept past a host of horses in the stretch for driver Dan Noble collaring runner-up Gareth Nourrir (Josh Sutton) and show finisher Speed Trap (Chris Page) in the final strides of the 1:53 mile. Danny Collins conditions the winner who will join the exclusive ‘Millionaires Club’ with his next victory.

Conrad photo

Twilight Bonfire (Dan Noble) used a strong stretch drive to sweep past Gareth Nourrir and Speed Trap and capture the $15,500 Open at Miami Valley.

The second leg of the ‘Sovereign Warrior’ series for top conditioned pacers was contested in two $9,000 divisions. Ideal Race (Chris Page) captured the first division in 1:52.4 besting ER Zach Attack (Tyler Smith) and Winchester’s Punch (Randy Tharps). With a win and a second, the Ron Burke-trained winner is the likely morning line favorite for the $18,000 championship next Saturday night. Ohio-sired Feel N Funk E (Andy Shetler) copped the second division with a 1:53.1 triumph over Ally-Con (Greg Grismore) and Lady’s Man (Josh Sutton). George Anthrop trains the winner who could become a $100,000 earner with a score in the series final.

Through 35 nights of the current 89-night meet, Miami Valley’s average daily handle is up a healthy 22% over the inaugural season’s numbers.