from Miami Valley Racetrack

Lebanon, OH — The Eash Racing Stable and driverLeWayne Miller teamed up for a night to remember on Saturday (March 12) atMiami Valley Raceway. Not only did Astreo’s Love capture the $20,000 OpenPace for trainer Don Eash and Miller, but E R Rudy copped the $20,000 championshipleg of a top conditioned late closing series, stable mate Undertaker triumphedin the $10,000 first leg of the George Williams Memorial late-closer fornon-winners of four pari-mutuel races or $30,000 life, and E R Oliver cappedoff the ‘Grand Slam’ by winning a $10,000 conditioned race.

Conrad photo

Astreo’s Love was one of four victories for Eash Racing and driver Lewayne Miller when he captured the $20,000 Open at Miami Valley in 1:50.4.

Astreo’s Love took full advantage of his first inside postposition in six weeks and the scratch of his most serious threat (Mykindachip)to score in 1:50.4 over Nitro (Chris Page) and Fancy Creek Elusiv (KayneKauffman). It was the fourth win of the year for the 6-year-old son ofMake My Day, but the first since early February. As the 3-5 favorite,Astreo’s Love returned $3.20 to his backers. The winner has now banked$46,680 in seven seasonal starts, all at Miami Valley.

Although he didn’t win a preliminary leg of the late-closer,E R Rudy was sent postward as the third choice in the betting and Miller gavehis supporters a picture-perfect drive to pull the minor upset in 1:51.4. The 5-year-old Art’s Chip gelding sat chilly in the pocket throughout as secondchoice Major Blue Chip (Josh Sutton) cut the fractions and favorite StonebridgeAdam (Chris Page) pressured first-up on the outside. When a seam openedbetween the two preliminary leg winners, E R Rudy shot through for theimpressive 7-2 score.

Undertaker gave the Eash-Miller combo their third triumphwhen he bested Gunny Wilson (Tyler Smith) and Goodtime Matt (Trace Tetrick) in1:53.1 to stamp himself as the early favorite in the George Williams Memorialseries. The 4-year-old Rockin Image gelding now has 22 victories, all butfour at Indiana county fairas.

Startin Something (John DeLong) was an upset winner in theother William division, paying $25.00 following his 1:54 tally. BrentTartar owns the Johnson Hill Jr.-trainee, who topped Artistic Blue (KenHolliday) and American Paradise (Chris Page).

The icing on the Eash-Miller cake was E R Oliver’s victoryin a $10,000 conditioned race in 1:53. The 5-year-old son of Total Truthsurpassed the $100,000 career earnings plateau with the winner’s share.

With the four wins, Don Eash climbed from a tie for tenth inthe trainer’s standings to a tie for fifth place. Miller, who has hadmuch success in his first foray into Ohio, is now tied for ninth in thedriver’s dash standings with 30 wins and over $300,000 in purse winnings.