Lebanon, OH – Andre L and Whatchagonnado each took a division of the $22,000 NW10PM class at Miami Valley on Monday night (March 30).
In the first division, Andre L, saddled with post nine was ducked off the wings of the starting gate by Trace Tetrick and gathered briefly to last as the field approached the first turn. Seeing an early outer flow developing, Trace never made the rail and pressed on to end up third over and seventh as they passed the quarter in :26.4.
On the front, Believe In Tom was engaged in a speed duel with a hung out to dry Odds On Mad Hatter as the two battled to the half in :55.
As they turned up the backside, Odds On Mad Hatter would eventually clear for the lead near the three quarters in 1:22.3. Immediate pressure was applied by 5-2 favorite Rockinpoppin, who was now left uncovered and first up with Andre L following his cover.
As they turned for home, Rockinpoppin took command and Andre L flipped up on his outside as the two battled nose to nose to the wire with Andre L coming out on top by a head in 1:52.1. Rockinpoppin finished second with Odds On Mad Hatter hanging on for third.
Andre L kept his current form streak alive, winning every other start since Feb, 2, which was his first start for current trainer Heather France after she claimed him from the NW6PM class. It was his fourth win of the year and 12th lifetime.
In the second division, Whatchagonnado, also saddled with post nine, used a different tactic than his earlier co-winner Andre L, with Chris Page firing him off the gate to the front as he led the field past the opening quarter in :27.1.
Don’t Tell Rosa and Johnny Smash sat behind in second and third, respectively, as Page continued to dictate the fractions, passing the half unchallenged in :55.4. Who Dey Nation attempted a first over move, but was unsuccessful, never advancing beyond fourth.
As Whatchagonnado passed the three quarters in 1:22.2, and it was just a two-horse race from there with pocket-sitting Don’t Tell Rosa right on his heels.
As the two turned for home, Don’t Tell Rosa popped the pocket and closed in but came up just short with Whatchagonnado holding on by a neck in a lifetime mark of 1:51. Johnny Smash used a ground saving trip to finish third.
For Whatchagonnado, it was his fifth win of the season and 12th lifetime tally pushing his career earnings to just over $170,000.
Six different drivers scored a driving double on the card while trainer Jeff Smith also had two wins.
Racing action will return on Tuesday night (March 31) with a 4 p.m. post.