Thrilling finishes and quick miles were prevalent on Saturday night (Feb. 15) at Miami Valley Raceway, highlighted by a $22,500 Open I Pace, a $20,000 Open II Pace, and the final two preliminary divisions of the second annual Bill Dailey Memorial Medley.
Im A Big Deal pulled a mild upset over Windsong Leo in the Open I, managing a head decision in 1:51.1.
Windsong Leo, a winner in six of his last seven outings versus Open company, cut the mile with Im A Big Deal sitting snug in the pocket throughout the contest. After fractions of :26.3, :56.1 and 1:23.3, the favourite was still able to close in :27.3, but the winner was a tick or two quicker to gain the slight advantage in the final two strides. My Hero Ron raced first over for much of the mile and finished third.
It was the first win in nine local starts since Im A Big Deal was plucked from the Harrisburg sale last November by owner Bottom Line Racing of Boca Raton, FL, and trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. However the five-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere has managed a win in a top condition pace and three runner-up finishes in the weekly features to earn about $40,000 in his first three months in Ohio. Brett Miller sat in the bike.
The Open II event was captured by Shagnwiththedragon (John DeLong) over Rose Run Uriah and The Dark Shadow in 1:51. Dropping out of the Open I after a month of fourth and fifth place finishes, the six-year-old son of Dragon Again flashed a huge closing kick to secure his 20th victory. J. D. Perrin trains the winner for his wife Tessa and her partner Eim Racing Stable.
The Bill Dailey Memorial Medley started with five-eighths mile dashes in three $12,500 divisions in the first leg, then followed up with two $17,500 divisions going a mile on Saturday. The top nine money winners from those first two legs will assemble next Saturday night for a $25,000 championship tilt at one-and-a-quarter miles.
Royale Rose won by a nose in 1:52.4 in the first Dailey split, edging Angelo J Fra with Manny finishing third. Daniel Stone conditions the seven-year-old Ashlees Big Guy gelding for S & S Racing Stable and Bert Turner. It was the 27th tally for the lifetime winner of $333,932. Tyler Smith sat in the sulky.
Just N Ace edged stablemate Uncmprmising Z Tam by a neck in the second division, clocked in 1:51.1. Champion Rock grabbed the show dough and a ticket into the championship dance. Jamie Macomber trains the winning five-year-old son United Ace for the Eleven Star Stables while Sam Widger held the reins.
The lineup for the $25,000 Bill Dailey Memorial Medley championship consists of Royale Rose, Just N Ace, American Dreamer, Dave And Dennis, Life On The Beach A, Uncmprmising Z Tam, Angela J Fra, Stormy West and Champion Rock.
(Miami Valley Raceway)