Lebanon, OH – Courtship and Whatchagonnado each won the co-featured N/w 10 condition claimer Monday (Jan. 19), a popular and competitive fan favorite at Miami Valley.
In the first division, Courtship and David Miller won gate to wire in 1:54.2, holding off a game Barely A Lie by just under a length. Courtship controlled the fractions through quarters of :28.2, :56.4 and 1:25.1. Barely A Lie sat just outside the leaders wheel from the half on while pocket sitting Heerz Popeye had a ringside seat to the duel. As they turned for home, the leaders separated themselves and dueled down the stretch with Courtship coming out on top. The win gave the Virgil , Jr trainee his seventh win in just 40 lifetime starts.
The second division was won by Whatchagonnado in 1:51.2. Fresh off the claim to the Steve Carter barn (although he was claimed back by previous trainer Ron Burke tonight), Brett Miller and Whatchagonnado used similar tactics as earlier race winner Courtship, by going to the front and never looking back, albeit in an easier fashion, finishing an impressive four and half lengths clear in the frigid, windy conditions. The win was the fifth in the last six starts for Whatchagonnado and ninth career win in just 34 starts.
Driver Brett Miller led everyone with four wins on Monday’s card while Trace Tetrick and Sam Widger had doubles. Chris Presley & Steve Carter each had a training double.
Milestone Watch – Driver Jermey Smith is just one win away from 4,000.
Racing action continues Tuesday night with a post time of 4 p.m.