Natural Herbie, owned, trained and driven by Verlin Yoder, took top honours in Pompano Park's featured $11,000 Open Handicap Trot on Monday night covering the mile in a personal season best 1:54.4.
The six-year-old gelded son of Here Comes Herbie hit the wire three lengths clear of Midnite Craze, driven by Ivan Davies, with My Revenuer, teamed up with Steve Condren, third, five lengths away.
At the outset, Coco Lindy, leaving from post two for Wally Hennessey, was intent on taking control of the festivities and he did just that strolling over to the opening marker in a leisurely :29 with Natural Herbie, leaving from post six, was also on the prowl early as driver Yoder went looking for an advantageous spot close up. He found one, too, in the garden spot with Midnite Craze next.
Positions remained stagnant through a tepid :58.1 half and remained that way past the third station in 1:26.4 with Coco Lindy still enjoying a 1-¼ length advantage. A few strides past that marker, Yoder "growled" at Natural Herbie and his charge quickly moved along-side Coco Lindy turning for home.
When Natural Herbie looked Coco Lindy in the eye, Coco Lindy made a miscue and Natural Herbie was on his way to that aforementioned three length margin.
"I was a little concerned letting Wally's trotter (Coco Lindy) get away with that kind of soft half but, around that final bend I growled a little at my horse and he grabbed some dirt and off he went,” said Verlin Yoder. "He raced good in all his starts here and it usually takes him five or six races to reach his best form, so it didn't surprise me that he went his best mile of the season tonight."
For Natural Herbie, it was his second win of the season in five starts and 28th win lifetime with this victory sending his lifetime earnings to $923,131.
Off as the slight favourite at 8-5 on the tote-board, Natural Herbie paid $5.40 to his multitude of followers.
Racing continues on Tuesday night at Pompano Park with Godiva Seelster and Totally Rusty among the octet of mares scheduled to go in the Open Handicap Pace for the ladies.
Post time is 7:30 p.m.
(Pompano Park)