Lebanon, OH – When the wings of the starting gate folded, Southwind Onyx left quickly to take the early lead while Jimmy L pressed on from the outside to eventually take the lead past the opening quarter on Monday (March 16) evening at Miami Valley Raceway.
There was a lot of early action happening behind the front two as Tide Has Turned, who briefly got away third on the rail was already out and moving before they were halfway through the turn. Pushed three-wide was Armabluechipboy N who then settled in behind Tide Has Turned second over, Southwind Onyx was shuffled to third along the rail. As they finally passed the opening quarter, Jimmy L had the lead but yielded to Tide Has Turned. Already there were five in and five out on their way past the stands for the first time.
Tide Has Turned was now the leader as Jimmy L took the pocket trip. Armabluechipboy N was left out first over and looking to flush Southwind Ony, but he decided to hug the rail. As they passed the half in :56.2, Tide Has Turned led by a length and half, Jimmy L sat in the pocket with Southwind Onyx on his tail. Armabluechipboy N was now being challenged by a three wide Ys Cheddar Wheel who could wait no longer. As he made that swift three wide move, it seemed to awaken Armabluechipboy N who now started to press on as the two quickly gained ground on the leader.
As they passed three quarters in 1:25.2, Ys Cheddar Wheel cleared Armabluechipboy N and moved a half length in front of Tide Has Turned while Jimmy L remained trapped in third along the rail. Drunkonaplane was moving three wide around a tiring Armabluechipboy N, which provided just enough space for Jimmy L to shake loose. As they turned for home, Ys Cheddar Wheel cleared for the lead but the turn into the wind seemed to level the playing field as Tide Has Turned dug back in, Southwind Onyx attacked up the pylons and Jimmy L closed from the outside. The four battled side by side down the stretch with Jimmy L outlasting everyone to edge away at the wire and win by length and a half in 1:56. Ys Cheddar Wheel finished second with Tide Has Turned nosing out Southwind Onyx for third.
For the Elson Miller trained Jimmy L, it was his fourth win in his last five starts and his 16th career win. He took leg one of the series and was just beaten by a head in leg two. The winnings pushed his lifetime earnings to just over $137,000.
David Miller and Chris Page each had a driving triple on the card. Racing action returns on Tuesday (March 17) night with a post time of 4 p.m.