Lebanon, OH — Oakwood Heymiki IR used a four-wide move around the final turn to swoop the field in the featured $36,000 Miami Valley Open on Sunday night (March 8).
Ducked off the wings of the Mike Woebkenburg starting gate on a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon, Oakwood Heymiki IR (Brett Miller) got away seventh as Sam Widger fired Joelsyy Hanover out for the early lead. As they paced 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 as the two battled to the quarter in a speedy :26.3. Rose Run Zane finally cleared as the field came by the stands for the first time, but there was no time for rest as Joelsyy Hanover popped out of the pocket to retake the lead. Humble A (Trace Tetrick) had begun the outer flow and was able to flush Charlie May (David Miller) for cover with Burnout (Austin Hanners) and Oakwood Miki IR, now fourth over, in tow. Reaching the half in :55, Joelsyy Hanover’s retake was short lived as Charlie May rushed up to take command as they turned up the backside. Humble A was now left first over, about 1-1/2 lengths back while slowly reeling in the leader.
As they passed three-quarters in 1:21.3 (a :26.3 third quarter!), Charlie May continued to show the way with Humble A to his outside, Joelsyy Hanover in the pocket, and Burnout second over and moving three wide with Oakwood Heymiki IR moving four wide. As they turned for home, Burnout and Humble A hooked wheels briefly, 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 to nab Charlie May at the wire in 1:49.3. Joelsyy Hanover finished a close third.
For Oakwood Miki IR, it was his seventh win in his last eight starts. He has 14 wins in just 20 North American starts and 25 lifetime tallies in just 47 career races.
Trainers Ron Burke and Mike Hitchcock each picked up a double 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 (March 9) final race. That card at Miami Valley will start with a post time of 4 p.m.