Monroe, OH – In the featured $32,000 Open II at Miami Valley on Wednesday (April 29) night, First Class Rule used a first over trip to defeat the field of eight and pick up her second win of the year.
Starting from post six, First Class Rule left between horses, with Niko Man up the inside and Yanks Dugout powering around the outside to the lead. First Class Rule would settle in fourth, opening a gap for Abbey D to settle in third as they passed the opening quarter in :27.2. As they passed the tote board for the first time, Reggianito would pull first over from seventh, eventually flushing cover from Nickel And Dime, who would then flush out First Class Rule from fourth. Yanks Dugout would lead them past the half in :57.
Up the backside, Yanks Dugout would continue to show the way with Niko Man riding in the pocket and First Class Rule grinding out a first over trip. Yanks Dugout would lead them past the three-quarters in 1:26 with First Class Rule right to his outside. As they rounded the final turn, First Class Rule and Niko Man would make incidental contact, causing Niko Man to break stride which also caused second-over Nickel And Dime to break stride. The side by side breakers allowed Yanks Dugout and First Class Rule to break away by four lengths, with Yanks Dugout having a slight advantage at the top of the stretch. The two would battle nose to nose down the lane with First Class Rule getting up in the final strides to win by half in 1:54.3. Reggianito would wind up third.
It was the 11th lifetime win for the Ron Burke trained First Class Rule, pushing her lifetime earnings to just over $163k.
Leading Miami Valley driver David Miller won four races on the Wednesday card. Three drivers would walk away with two wins a piece, including Marvin Luna, Sam Widger, and Luke Hanners.
Just two days remain in the 2026 Miami Valley meet. Racing resumes on Thursday with the normal 4 p.m. post and then a special 1 p.m. Saturday Derby card, featuring eight divisions of the Ohio Sires Stakes and the Grade 3 $100,000 Pacey Mindlin Invite.