Miami Valley: Free Thinker best in Friday's James K. Hackett Memorial

It was another Burke Brigade day at Miami Valley on Friday (April 16) as stablemates Free Thinker and Drama Act were victorious in the two feature races on the card.

Free Thinker (Chris Page) was a relatively easy winner in the $40,000 James K. Hackett Memorial for 3-year-old Ohio-sired pacing fillies, establishing a new lifetime mark with a 1:53 3/5 triumph over Rockin N Kissin (Tyler Smith) and Pal O Mine Hanover (Kayne Kauffman). With a fourth-place finish, Pinknperfect (Dan Noble) also received an automatic invitation to next Friday's $50,000 Scarlet & Gray Invitational.

Page allowed Rockin N Kissin to lead through the 28 2/5 initial quarter but assumed command with the favorite another eighth of a mile later. From there it was clear sailing for the daughter of Western Vintage, who tacked on subsequent clockings of 56 4/5 and 1:25 2/5 before cruising home in 28 1/5 and finishing about four lengths to the good.

It was just the third win in nine career starts for Free Thinker, but she raised her bankroll to $84,025 for owners Burke Racing, Jason Melillo, J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby, and Weaver Bruscemi.

A little over an hour later, Drama Act (Page) beat Big Bad Jane (Noble) and American Cheer (Kauffman) in the $25,000 Mares Open Pace. It was the third straight seasonal score for the 4-year-old daughter of Well Said, but her first in Open company. Drama Act, who raced in the $500,000 Breeders Crown at 3, now sports 11 career victories and her earnings grew to $263,082 for owners The OK Corral of Illinois.

--press release (Miami Valley)--