A pair of $30,556 conditioned claiming paces highlighted the Monday (Jan. 19) card at Miami Valley Raceway with Courtship and Whatchagonnado each securing the victories.
In the first division, Courtship and David Miller won gate to wire in 1:54.2, holding off a game Barely A Lie by just under a length.
Courtship controlled the fractions through quarters of 28.2, 56.4 and 1:25.1. Barely A Lie (Sam Widger) sat just outside the leaders wheel from the half on while pocket sitting Heerz Popeye (Cameron McCown) had a ringside seat to the duel. As they turned for home, the leaders separated themselves and dueled down the stretch with Courtship coming out on top while Heerz Popeye held for third.
The win gave the Virgil Morgan Jr. trained five-year-old gelded son of Betting Line-Midnight Romance his seventh career victory in 40 tries for owners Morrison Racing Stables of Indiana, PA.
The second division was won by Whatchagonnado (Pictured above) in 1:51.2 fresh off the claim to the Steve Carter barn (although he was claimed back by previous trainer Ron Burke tonight). Brett Miller and Whatchagonnado used similar tactics as earlier race winner Courtship, by going to the front and never looking back, finishing an impressive 4-1/2-lengths clear in the frigid, windy conditions.
The win was the fifth in the last six starts for four-year-old Fear The Dragon-Bad Girls Club gelding and ninth career win in 34 starts.
Driver Brett Miller led everyone with fou wins on Monday's card while Trace Tetrick and Sam Widger had doubles. Chris Presley and Steve Carter each had a training double.
Racing action continues Tuesday night with a post time of 4:00 p.m.
(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)