He went a tiresome journey from the outermost post last week, but this week trainer-driver Verlin Yoder let the race come to Its A Herbie and he delivered in bundles to take the $24,000 Open Trot on Monday afternoon at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel.
Landing Post 7 with a scratch, Its A Herbie nonetheless took off the speed to race eighth while Susies Sister (driven by Kevin Wallis) slid to the top past a :28 first quarter. Her lead was short lived as Perlucky (Kyle Husted) took the lead past the stands before yielding control to Luckey Stormin (Joey Putnam) passing a :57.4 half.
Perlucky pulled pocket up the backside to challenge Luckey Stormin for the lead to three-quarters in 1:26.4 and kept pressing as the field stacked behind. Verlin Yoder got Its A Herbie rolling widest down the track and coasted by a field on fumes with minimal urging to win by two lengths in 1:55.2. Luckey Stormin clung to second with Susies Sister finishing third.
A seven-year-old gelding by Here Comes Herbie, Its A Herbie bagged his 21st win from 68 tries and has now accrued $579,237 into his coffers. Verlin Yoder owns the victor who paid $6.78 to win.
The 13-race card Monday featured frequent visits to the winner's circle by driver John MacDonald and trainer Jack Rice. The pair teamed for four wins on the day while John MacDonald steered five total winners. Rice and MacDonald snapped a photograph after wins by
Bettors have responded to the hot start of the 2023 season at Oak Grove as Monday's card handled a record amount since the track cut its ribbon in 2020. From 13 races on Monday, bettors churned $229,192.24 through the windows. The amount eclipses the previous single-card handle record of $212,000-plus set last season.
Live racing at Oak Grove resumes Sunday, April 30. First post is 3 p.m.
(Oak Grove Racing)