Don’t Bea Jailbird was overlooked Tuesday, Feb. 21 at the beginning of the conditioned trot at Miami Valley Raceway, but he certainly caught the attention of the crowd at the end, breaking free from the field for the win in 1:57.2. Trace Tetrick was in the bike for yet another competitive trotter for owner John Barnard.
Don’t Bea Jailbird and Trace Tetrick break free from the field and score their first win of 2023 Tuesday, Feb. 21 at Miami Valley Raceway. Photo by Conrad Photography
Starting from post three, Don’t Bea Jailbird used no early speed at all as fellow Indiana sired Southern Swan Man and Trevor Smith were the first to reach the top with Lil’ Jess and Keith Crawford hung out three wide at the quarter in :28.0. Southern Swan Man continued to lead the way with Lil’ Jess still hung on the outside midway through the race in :56.4. Heading to the three-quarters, Lil’ Jess began to tire as expected, forcing several horses to move three-wide at the three-quarters in 1:26.2, including Don’t Bea Jailbird.
At the head of the lane, Don’t Bea Jailbird still had some work to do, but he went to work, picking off horses with every stride and pulling away for the win by one and three-quarter lengths. Marty De Vie and Sam Widger held his ground inside for third while Southern Swan Man also held strong for third.
Trained by Luis “Tony” Quevedo, Don’t Bea Jailbird paid $17.40 for the win. The five-year-old son of Jailhouse Jesse is also bred by Barnard, who is known for some of the top trotters in the Hoosier State such as Fiftydallarbill and Whata Swan.
Don’t Bea Jailbird earned his first win of 2023 and a new career best time in the race. Overall, he now has seven wins and more than $37,000 in earnings. The gelding is the first foal from another Barnard horse, Dont Ya, who competed in Indiana Sires Stakes action during her career and took a mark of 1:57.3, also has a two-year-old that will be heading to the track in 2023 named Ya Caught, who is a full brother to Don’t Bea Jailbird.
Another longshot winner from Indiana was Sunrise Sweetie in the $12,500 claiming pace. Guided by Dan Noble, the five-year-old Always a Virgin mare was flushed heading to the three-quarter mile marker and when she got the lead in the stretch, she never looked back, pulling away to a two and one-half length win over Lady Maya and Tyler Smith in 1:53.0. Bluewater Beach and Kayne Kauffman finished third.
Sunrise Sweetie paid $23.00 for the win. She is owned by Bradley Delaney and trained by Rachel Oenema. Merle Yoder bred the mare, who recorded her second win in five starts for 2023. The race was also a new career best for Sunrise Sweetie, who has 12 career wins and more than $75,000 in earnings.