Oakwood Heymiki Ir used a four-wide move around the final turn to swoop to victory in the featured $49,315 Horses and Geldings Open Pace on Sunday, March 8 at Miami Valley Raceway.
Dropped back off the wings of the gate on a sunny Sunday afternoon, Oakwood Heymiki Ir got away seventh for Brett Miller as Sam Widger fired Joelsyy Hanover out for the early lead. As they paced through the first turn, Rose Run Zane (Chris Page) found himself on the outside with no room at the inn and was forced to press on, grinding forward to the quarter in :26.3. Rose Run Zane finally cleared as the field came by the stands for the first time, but Joelsyy Hanover quickly popped out of the pocket to retake the lead. Humble A (Trace Tetrick) had begun the outer flow and was able to flush out Charlie May (David Miller) for cover with Burnout (Austin Hanners) and Oakwood Miki Ir, now third- and fourth-over, respectively. Joelsyy Hanover's retake proved short-lived as Charlie May rushed up to take command past the half in :55. Humble A was now left first-over and slowly reeled in the leader.
As they passed three-quarters in 1:21.3, Charlie May continued to show the way with Humble A to his outside, Joelsyy Hanover in the pocket, Burnout second-over and moving three-wide with Oakwood Heymiki Ir swinging four-wide. Burnout and Humble A hooked wheels briefly on the final turn, taking them out of contention while Charlie May scooted away by a couple of lengths. Joelsyy Hanover, from the pocket, was now the closest challenger until Oakwood Heymiki Ir came flying up on the outside and nabbed Charlie May by a half-length at the wire in 1:49.3. Joelsyy Hanover finished third.
Oakwood Miki Ir won for the seventh time in his last eight starts. He has 14 wins in 20 North American starts and 25 lifetime tallies in 47 career races. Robert Cleary trains the six-year-old Always B Miki-I Got Rhythm gelding for Royal Wire Products Inc. The win price was $6.60.
Trainers Ron Burke and Mike Hitchcock each picked up a double on the 14-race card with four different drivers tallying the same: Chris Page, David Miller, Trace Tetrick and Brett Miller.
No one solved the Super High 5 in the last race, so $6,094 will carry over to Monday afternoon's final race. That card at Miami Valley will start at 4 p.m.
(Miami Valley Raceway)