After narrow place finishes in his prior two starts, Robert Michael found himself on the right side of the photo for a 16-1 upset in the featured $39,726 optional-claiming trot on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at Miami Valley Raceway.
Starting from post six, Robert Michael was dropped back early by driver Trevor Smith and settled in seventh as the field followed Fifty Rivers (Brett Miller) to the quarter in :27.2. Sugar Instead (Kayne Kauffman) pulled out in front of the stands and flushed out Global Sensation (David Miller), who led the outside line onto the backstretch with Robert Michael racing third-over to the half in :56.2.
Robert Michael went three-wide around the gapping Sugar Instead nearing three-quarters in 1:24.1 and cleared that rival to take second-over position entering the final turn. Global Sensation had moved to the lead at the top of the lane but dragged Robert Michael right along with him, and the two battled down the stretch with Robert Michael getting up by a head at the wire in 1:53.2. Global Sensation was a game second while Yanks Dugout (Sam Widger) used a pocket trip to wind up third.
Robert Michael's win was his 10th lifetime in 49 starts, and it came with a a new career mark for the five-year-old son of Crazy Wow-Mymomsablizzard. He is two-for-seven on the year for trainer Jason Irwin and owner-breeder Robert Weinstein. The win price was $34.20.
The win was Irwin's second of the night after Sunburst upset at odds of 31-1 in the opener, returning $65.60. The Irwin winners paid a combined $99.80.
Driver David Miller had a grand slam on the 14-race card while Trevor Smith earned a driving triple.
Miami Valley racing action for the week closes out on Thursday with a post time of 4 p.m.
(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)