Longshots Ys Cheddar Wheel and Armabluechipboy N each took a division of the second leg of the $8,904 Claiming Series at Miami Valley on Monday (March 9) afternoon. 

The elimination format required horses to be in the top five to advance to the $15,000 USD final next week. 

In the first division, Ys Cheddar Wheel (Tyler Smith) left alertly and cleared to the front past a quarter in :27.1. After a quick misstep from the pocket, heavy favourite Jimmy L (Chris Page) popped out to sweep up and take the lead to the half in :56.3. As they turned down the backside, Peppermint Man (Austin Hanners) moved first over to challenge for the lead and drew even as the field went past three quarters in 1:23.4. 

As they came to the top of the stretch, Jimmy L thwarted the test from Peppermint Man but was immediately challenged from Ys Cheddar Wheel (19-1). He vacated the pocket to close in from the outside while Teabythesea (Kayne Kauffman) snuck thru between them and a three horse battle to the wire ended in a head victory for Ys Cheddar Wheel in 1:53.2. Jimmy L hung on for second and Teabythesea was third. The other two advancers were Tide Has Turned (David Miller) and Southwind Onyx (Brett Miller).

In the second and final division, Armabluechipboy N (Kauffman) protected his rail position as he fired off the wings and led the field single file to the quarter in :27.3. He continued to lead past the stands for the first time as the even money favourite Threshold (Page) was eventually flushed first over from fourth. The half was a leisurely :57.1 as Armabluechipboy N got a nice breather from Kayne Kaufmann who now had to withstand the challenge from Threshold. As they passed the three quarters in 1:24.2, Threshold pushed a nose, head then half in front and looked to take command but Armabluechipboy N (14-1) was not done as he battled back to draw even at the top of the stretch. 

Into heartbreak alley, Armabluechipboy N resumed command as Threshold finally tired and Drunkonaplane (Smith) vacated the pocket to start his challenge but Armabluechipboy N held on to win by three quarters in 1:54. Drunkonaplace finished second while Threshold hung on for third. Hard Cold Cash (Trevor Smith) and Willydoitagain (Sam Widger) took the final two transfer spots for the final. 

The field is now set for next week's featured $15,000 USD final. Leg two winners Armabluechipboy N and Ys Cheddarwheel will be joined by leg one winners Jimmy L, Threshold and Tide Has Turned. Rounding out the final is Drunkonaplane, Hard Cold Cash, Willydoitagain, Teabythesea and Southwind Onyx.

Racing resumes at Miami Valley on Tuesday (March 10) night at 4 p.m.

(Miami Valley)