Sectionline Bigry roared back into the Ohio harness racing limelight at Hollywood Dayton Raceway. Although he has been highly competitive in the featured weekly Open events at both Eldorado Scioto Downs and Hollywood Dayton over the last four months, his rousing 1:51 victory on Saturday (Nov. 20) was the first since July 21 for the outstanding six-year-old son of Pet Rock.

Driver Brett Miller chose come-from-behind tactics when he saw recent winners Family Recipe and Gold Digger King leaving alertly from their assigned outside post positions. Sectionline Bigry settled into fifth along the pylons through the opening :26 panel, then picked up second-over cover in the outer flow, following Prince Of Tides, nearing the halfway point in :55.1. Miller waited patiently up the backstretch until just prior to the 1:22.1 three-quarter station when he sent his charge three wide and powered to the front through the stretch.

Based on his previous 28 victories and $628,737 bankroll, the public made the winner the morning-line favourite. He responded by returning $4.60 to his backers. Longshot One Corona To Go, who followed as far back as seventh in the early stages, flew through the stretch to finish second. Prince Of Tides held for third. The correct $2 exacta paid a handsome $136.

Harold Lee Bauder of Delaware, Ohio, bred and still owns Sectionline Bigry, whose seasonal earnings jumped to $71,460 with his second win in just 13 starts.

About an hour and a half later, the Open II pacers went postward chasing a $24,000 purse. The combatants outdid their Open I brethren with a 1:50.2 mile. Favoured Butter Bay Hanover and driver Kayne Kauffman utilized a perfect pocket ride behind the eventual show finisher Loutenant before pouncing from the two-hole at the top of the stretch and powering to the wire in front. Jersey Jim closed well to secure the show spot.

Next live racing at Hollywood Dayton will be Monday afternoon (Nov. 22) with a new earlier than usual 2 p.m. (EST) start.

(The Meadowlands)