Oakwood Heymiki Ir returned to the winner's circle with a stout effort in the $49,315 Horses and Geldings Open Handicap Pace on Sunday, April 19 at Miami Valley Raceway.
Brett Miller floated Oakwood Heymiki Ir off the wings and settled him in fifth as Charlie May (Sam Widger) sprinted to command in an opening quarter of :27.3. The two double millionaires in the field, Charlie May and Little Rocket Man (David Miller), sat first and second, respectively, going by the stands for the first time, and Oakwood Heymiki Ir moved first-over on the way to the half in :56.2. Charlie May showed the way with Oakwood Heymiki Ir right at his wheel, grinding away at the leader and pulling nearly level at three-quarters in 1:23.2. Charlie May maintained a short lead into the lane, but Oakwood Heymiki Ir would not go away and got up in the final strides to win by a neck, stopping the timer in 1:50.3. Little Rocket Man finished third.
The Robert Cleary-trained Oakwood Heymiki Ir took his third win in six starts on the year and 26th in 50 career starts, pushing his lifetime earnings to $280,533. Royal Wire Products Inc. owns the six-year-old Always B Miki-I Got Rhythm gelding. The win price was $3.40.
Brett Miller and Luke Hanners led the 14-race card with three driving wins apeice. Mike Hitchcock had a training double.
Racing action resumes at Miami Valley on Monday with a post time of 4 p.m.
(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)