Lebanon, OH — It’s A Herbie overcame an uncovered overland journey to win Miami Valley’s $22,500 Open Trot for the second straight week on Tuesday (Feb. 9).

It’s A Herbie chased down Muscle Fashion for his second straight Open Trot triumph at Miami Valley. Conrad photo.

Trainer-driver LeWayne Miller has the 5-year-old son of Here Comes Herbie in fine form for owner Verlin Yoder, who lives in and trains the rest of his stable in Florida in the winter months.

Miller settled It’s A Herbie into fourth place along the pylons briefly as the 10-horse field hit the quarter in :28.4. It wasn’t long thereafter, however, that the winner began his first-up pursuit of leader Muscle Fashion (Trace Tetrick). Up to third at the pedestrian :58 half, It’s A Herbie managed to reach Muscle Fashion’s wheel just past the 1:26.4 three-quarter station. The two raced as a team until halfway down the lane, when Miller’s mount pulled away to a 1:55.3 victory. Swan Chase (Tyler Smith) proved best of the rest.

Second-leg action in the Robert J. Brown Memorial Trot Series, for non-winners of two races or $20,000 lifetime, also took place on Tuesday to determine the finalists for next week’s $20,000 final. Winners were Circle Of Life AS (Tyler Smith, 1:59, $6.80), Gogo Riches (Kyle Wilfong, 1:59.1, $7.20), Howyadoinbub (Dan Noble, 1:58.3, $4.40) and Miss Smead (Don Eash, 1:58.4, $15.60). Circle Of Life AS and Howyadoinbub were repeat winners and will likely be favored in the final.

Joining the four second-leg winners in the final will be Pick Me Upper, Ti’ Punch, Chelseas Magic, Golden Genes, Bentley Blu and Panthera AS.

A final pair of Survivor Series eliminations for $5,000 claiming mares were contested to determine the 10 finalists for a $15,000 test next week. The top five finishers from the first split were were Rockin Peggy (Josh Sutton, 1:57, $6.20), Well Wishers, Looking Santastic, Gators Ben Winning and Jeramaya. Mary Catherine A (Tetrick, 1:57.1, $2.80) copped the second elimination followed across the line by Princess Oshie, Summer Party, American Sweet Pea and Eternal Bliss.