After a two month absence, Its A Herbie returned to the Miami Valley winner’s circle following Tuesday (April 6) afternoon’s $20,000 Open Trot.

Using the winner’s customary come-from-behind tactic, driver LeWayne Miller rallied him from sixth, and last, at the half—and fourth at the top of the stretch—to edge Lane Of Stone in 1:52.4. The clocking marked lifetime best for the five-year-old son Here Comes Herbie. Shake It Mary earned the show dough in the compact field.

Verlin Yoder owns Its A Herbie, who now has 17 victories and eclipsed the half-million earnings plateau with the win.

Ohio-sired trotting colts went postward in two $15,000 elimination divisions of the annual James K. Hackett Memorial late-closer, which kicks off the Buckeye stakes season. The $40,000 championship leg will be raced next Tuesday (April 13).

Winning Ticket, who banked $95,047 as a two-year-old, commenced his sophomore season by coasting to a 1:55.3 score over Fire Cross and Lockbox. Come On Sail also qualified to advance to the lucrative final from the first split. Trainer Chris Beaver co-owns Winning Ticket with partners Steve Zeehandelar, Tim Homan and Jim Burnett. Aaron Merriman drove the winner.

Dan Noble guided another Beaver trainee to victory in the other division with Panzano, beating Credit Ace and Tango With Me in 1:56.1. The Spaaaartners Stable own the son of Coraggioso, who also earned $75,224 in his two-year-old campaign.

Peters Royalty and Poets N Pirates also earned spots in the $40,000 championship field.

Racing resumes Friday (April 9) and Saturday (April 10) at Miami Valley with the customary weekend 4:05 p.m. (EDT) post times.

(Miami Valley Raceway)