Miami Valley: Yagonnakissmeornot, Classic Martine set track records

The top older females in the sport invaded Miami Valley Raceway on Sunday afternoon and they did not disappoint. Fans were treated to a pair of track records as Classic Martine and Yagonnakissmeornot picked up the hardware.

The action began with the $86,500 Miami Valley Distaff for trotting mares. Classic Martine was fast to the front but eventually yielded well past the 27-second opening quarter to Shake It Cerry. Those two marched past the half in 56 seconds as Daylon Miracle came to call on the rim and eventually wrestled the lead from Shake It Cerry by three quarters in 1:23 3/5.

At the head of the stretch it appeared as if Daylon Miracle or Charmed Life, who was following her live cover, would take home the top prize, but driver Tim Tetrick was able to slip off the pylons despite a shuffle on the final turn and surge to victory in the final strides with Classic Martine.

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The final time of 1:52 2/5 set a new all-age track record for trotters of both sexes at Miami Valley, now in its second year of racing.

“She was really ready to go today,” said Tetrick, before commenting on the trip. “I was locked in for my life and she was pulling on me really hard. Somehow I managed to get a little room there.”

Classic Martine ($32.20) vaulted over the $1 million mark with the $43,250 winner’s share for owners Hauser Bros. Racing, Susan Oakes, Conrad Zurich and Edwin Gold. Chris Oakes trains the 6-year-old mare.

Yagonnakissmeornot took no prisoners in a wire to wire $75,000 Chip Noble Memorial performance.

Posting fractions of 26 4/5, 55 3/5 and 1:22 4/5, Yagonnakissmeornot forced Waasmula into the pocket and turned back a weak uncovered try from Rocklamation en route to an easy 1:50 3/5 victory despite the winning margin of just a neck. The final time placed her as the fastest pacing mare in the track's history.

Table Talk scooted up the cones for second and Waasmula was third.

“After fractions of 26 and 55, on this track it was going to be pretty hard to beat us here,” said winning driver Dan Dube.

Yagonnakissmeornot returned $5.80 to win as the narrow 1.90 favorite ahead of Color’s A Virgin at 2-1. That mare, making her first stakes attempt as an older pacer, was parked the entire mile (most with cover) and came up flat when it counted.

Yagonnakissmeornot is owned by Allard Racing, Yves Sarrazin and Kapildeo Singh. Rene Allard trains the 6-year-old mare.