Lebanon, OH — Trotters highlighted the Tuesday (March 16) program at Miami Valley Raceway, with two Opens and a pair of first-leg divisions of the Dr. Dan Farwick Memorial Series sharing the spotlight.

I Know My Chip coasted to a 1:54.3 victory in Tuesday’s Open I Trot at Miami Valley. Conrad photo.

I Know My Chip (Brandon Bates) proved once again that he knows his way to the winner’s circle, taking the $22,000 Open I Trot in 1:54.3. It was the 45th career triumph in 150 starts for the 9-year-old son of Deep Chip, and it boosted his earnings to $1,070,688. He is owned by Brian Carsey, Casey Myers and the Black & White Stable, and has been trained in recent years by Walter Haynes Jr.

Bates wove through traffic in the stretch to reach the finish line first in 1:54.3, besting He’s A Herbie (LeWayne Miller) and Sweet Mr Pinetucky (Brett Miller).

MVP Luke (Josh Sutton) won the $18,000 Open II Trot over Voyage To Paris (Mitchell Cushing) and Setit And Forgetit (Cam McCown) in 1:56. The race was marred by an accident — which unseated both Trace Tetrick and Brett Miller — as the horses were turning to go to the gate. Outrider Ashley Holliday was able to collar Air Assault (Miller’s mount), who was in a full gallop, shortly after the mishap; and returned quickly to tend to Nyquist, whom Tetrick had in hand on a grassy infield area near the grandstand. Both horses appeared sound and healthy after being scratched, and both drivers continued with their daily mounts for over an hour. Tetrick, however, had pain and swelling in one hand and decided, after five more drives, to remove himself from his last five as a precautionary measure.

The first $15,000 split of the Dr. Dan Farwick Memorial was captured by Kikimora (Miller) in 1:55.2, holding off Shine All The Way (Dan Noble) and Susie D (Trevor Smith). Trainer Chris Beaver co-owns the winning mare with Sandra Burnett. The 4-year-old daughter of Triumphant Caviar won for just the sixth time, but increased her lifetime bankroll to over $300,000 with the score in just her second seasonal start.

Mr Charmbro (Tyler Smith) went a tick faster than Kikimora to capture the second division in 1:55.1. Long shot Bridge Works (LeWayne Miller) and favored Mary Mag Delene (Noble) completed the trifecta. Trainer Steve Brannan and his wife, Nancie, own the winning 5-year-old Ohio-sired son of Dejarmbro. Mr Charmbro’s clocking established a new lifetime mark and increased his career earnings to over $60,000.

The Farwick Memorial features trotters who were shy of either six pari-mutuel wins or $60,000 lifetime at nomination time.

Racing at Miami Valley resumes Friday (March 19) and Saturday (March 20), with 14-race programs beginning at 4:05 p.m. The Ohio racing commission recently approved a Miami Valley request to continue the earlier post time on Fridays and Saturdays through the remainder of the meet on May 3. The only exception will be a 12 noon post time on May 2 (Kentucky Derby Day).