Its A Herbie overcame an uncovered overland journey to win Miami Valley’s $22,500 Open Trot on Tuesday (Feb. 9) for the second straight week.
Trainer-driver LeWayne Miller has the five-year-old son of Here Comes Herbie in fine form for owner Verlin Yoder, who lives and trains the rest of his stable in Florida in the winter months.
Miller settled Its A Herbie along the pylons into fourth briefly as the 10-horse field hit the quarter in :28.4. It wasn’t long thereafter, however, that the winner began his first-up pursuit of the leader Muscle Fashion. Up to third at the pedestrian :58 half, Its A Herbie managed to lap on to Muscle Fashion’s wheel just past the 1:26.4 third timing station. The two raced as a team until halfway down the lane when Miller’s mount pulled away to the 1:55.3 victory. Swan Chase proved best of the rest.
Second leg action in the Robert J. Brown Memorial Trot Series, for non-winners of two races or $20,000 lifetime, also took place on Tuesday to determine the finalists for next week’s $20,000 championship. The winners were Circle Of Life As (Tyler Smith, 1:59, $6.80), Gogo Riches (Kyle Wilfong, 1:59.1, $7.20), Howyadoinbub (Dan Noble, 1:58.3, $4.40) and Miss Smead (Don Eash, 1:58.4, $15.60). Circle Of Life As and Howyadoinbub were repeat winners and will likely be favorites in the final.
Joining the four second-leg winners in the final will Pick Me Upper, Ti Punch, Chelseas Magic, Golden Genes, Bentley Blu and Panthera As.
A final pair of Claim To Fame series eliminations for $5,000 claiming mares were contested to determine the ten finalists for a $15,000 test next week. Top-five finishers were Rockin Peggy (Josh Sutton, 1:57, $6.20), Well Wishers, Looking Santastic, Gators Ben Winning and Jeramaya from the first split. Mary Catherine A (Tetrick, 1:57.1, $2.80) copped the second elim, followed across the line by Princess Oshie, Summer Party, American Sweet Pea and Eternal Bliss.
(Miami Valley Raceway)