Keystone Eureka Cashes In the Herb Coven Jr. Memorial at Miami Valley

LEBANON, OH – Favored Keystone Eureka (Trace Tetrick)  bested Anthem (Mitch Cushing) and Coconut Beach (Tyler Smith) to win the final of the Herb Coven Jr. Memorial Series at Miami Valley on Friday (March 12).  Her 1:52 clocking was a new lifetime best for the four-year-old Somebeachsomewhere mare owned by Miller Racing Stable and trained by Ryan Miller.

Tetrick, Miami Valley’s leading driver by a wide margin, got away third during the opening :27.2 panel, then moved first up on the outside prior to the :55.1 midway point.  Still second at the 1:23 third quarter station, Keystone Eureka was able to collar pacesetting Anthem halfway down the stretch and secure the Coven championship.  Anthem did hold second with Coconut Beach a fast-closing third.

The Coven featured distaff pacers who were non-winners of four races or $40,000 at the series start.  Next stop for Keystone Eureka is the Dr. Don Mossbarger Memorial for non-winners of six or $60,000, which starts next Friday.

The weekly $22,000 Mares Open was also featured and a familiar face found the winner’s circle after a five-week absence.  Pace Baby Pace (Chris Page) took full advantage of a pocket ride until coming out of the final turn and swept to a convincing triumph in 1:52.2.   Mildrix (Josh Sutton) and Bettor’s Up (LeWayne Miller) put in huge efforts to garner the place and show dollars.

Burke Racing and Weaver Bruscemi own Pace Baby Pace, who sports a wide white blaze on her familiar face.  She is named after notable Miami Valley handicapper Pacey Mindlin’s signature slogan.

The Saturday (March 13) card at Miami Valley features a $22,000 Open Pace as well as the $27,500 championship leg of the George Williams Memorial Series.  Post time is 4:05 p.m.