Lebanon, OH — Velocity Poprocks, who competed in a $50,000 claiming race just a month ago, completed his climb through the ranks with a win in the Sunday (April 23) $33,000 Open I at Miami Valley. The 8-year-old son of Pet Rock equaled his lifetime best of 1:50.2 for driver Austin Hanners, trainer Steve Carter and relatively new Standardbred owner Richard Mamie.
A runner-up in the weekly feature last week, Velocity Poprocks benefitted by the absence of Let It Ride N, who took a week off after winning five out of the last six Opens. Hanners got away fifth during the first :27.2 panel but was shuffled to sixth at the :55 halfway point and 1:22.1 three-quarters. With a closing kick home in :27.3, Hanners collared and passed his adversaries while three-wide on the final bend for a half-length victory. Later Dudes (Chris Page), who cut the mile, tried valiantly to hold the lead but was forced to settle for second. Favored Rollinlikethunder (Trace Tetrick) edged Incredible Man (Jeremy Smith) for third.
Double Metal (Brett Miller) won the $30,000 Open II over E Mode’s Desire (Mike Peterson) and Rose Run Ulysses (Kayne Kauffman) in 1:51.2. The 5-year-old Betting Line gelding won for the fourth time in 10 seasonal starts for owner Rick Berks and trainer Kris Hinchcliff.
The Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association conducted its first ever Charity Night with 10 regional charities each drawing a horse in the eighth race with a purse of $21,000. A large group of supporters of the various charities gathered for food, beverage and fun in the clubhouse — all eager to cheer their designated horse on to victory. The first place charity received a $10,000 donation from the OHHA. The runner-up got $5,000, the show finisher $3,000, and the remaining seven worthwhile local charities each received $2,000.
Racing at Miami Valley resumes Monday (April 24) with the $50,000 James K. Hackett Memorial championship for 3-year-old Ohio-sired trotting fillies. Post time is 4 p.m.