Miami Valley: Rest brings out the better part of 'Valor'

After enjoying some time off during the past holiday season, Rose Run Valor has returned to work refreshed and ready to go. The 6-year-old male trotter has won three of four races this year, including two in a row in the Open at Miami Valley Raceway, where he will try to make it three straight for trainer-driver Kayne Kauffman on Wednesday.

Rose Run Valor, a son of Uncle Peter-Donven Promise, won seven of 33 races last year and earned $99,105 for owner Natalie Kauffman. In his three seasons prior to 2022, the gelding had made only 32 lifetime starts, winning eight.

"He had a long year," said Kauffman, who acquired Rose Run Valor privately in December 2021 after training the horse for several months for the previous owners. "We gave him a little time off at the end of the Dayton meet and he's come back very sharp so far. We freshened him up.

"For a trotter, he's pretty mellow. You can deal with some trotters that are pretty high strung. Overall, he's just a good horse to be around. He has a great personality. He's easy to jog, easy to train, and been pretty good to drive so far too."

Kauffman drove Rose Run Valor once prior to 2021, winning a Buckeye Stallion Series division at the Delaware County Fair in 2020. Almost a year later, the owners sent Rose Run Valor to Kauffman in the hopes of eventually selling the horse in an online auction. When the horse failed to meet his reserve price, Kauffman worked out a deal for him.

"I was just hoping he would be a nice trotter to race up and down the conditions and make a little money to boot," Kauffman said. "He's kind of exceeded my expectations."

Rose Run Valor has made 17 lifetime starts at Miami Valley and hit the board eight times, winning six.

"He likes the longer stretch there," Kauffman said. "He gets home good. If you can give him the right trip, he's always trotting hard at the wire as long as he's got no ailments or sickness. He always seems to put forth a good effort."

Kauffman enjoyed a strong 2022 as both a driver and trainer, essentially equaling his career highs for purses in both categories. Horses he drove earned $3.34 million and banked $861,950 for him as a trainer.

"I have a good group of owners that have been able to pony up and buy good horses," Kauffman said. "It makes a difference. It makes your job a lot easier when you have good owners and good help. Without them, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

Rose Run Valor was assigned post eight in Wednesday's Open Handicap, the outermost starting spot in the field. He is 8-1 on the morning line. Combs Hanover is the 5-2 favorite for driver Chris Page and trainer Ron Burke.

"He trained good Saturday," Kauffman said about Rose Run Valor, who did not race last week. "We'll just have to see how the race shakes out."

Racing begins at 4 p.m. (EST) at Miami Valley.