After a narrow loss in last week’s main event for pacers, Sectionline Bigry captured the $28,000 Open I Handicap Pace at Miami Valley in 1:50.2 - equalling the fastest mile in the first two months of the 2022 meet.

The Steve Bauder trainee has hit the board in all seven of his seasonal starts with three wins, two seconds and two thirds all at the top level. Owner Harold Bauder’s homebred superstar has now banked $63,460 since the calendar turned to 2022 and $750,297 lifetime. His lifetime stats read: 91 starts, 34 wins, 17 seconds and 16 thirds for an amazing in-the-money finish percentage of 73.6%.

As is his custom, regular driver Brett Miller settled Sectionline Bigry near the back of the pack in the early going. Getting away seventh in the stellar eight horse field, the even-money favourite moved up to sixth in the outer flow at the halfway point, and then swung three wide around the final turn and was third at the top of the stretch.

Oakwoodnitownit IR (Trace Tetrick), last week’s Open I winner, tried valiantly to score his fourth straight gate-to-wire win but couldn’t survive an onslaught of closers during the quick :27 final panel. In addition to Sectionline Bigry, Blank Stare (Tony Hall) and Hezzz A Wise Sky (Sam Widger) were also able to brush by the pacesetter in the stretch.

Miami Valley will be dark on Friday and Saturday, but will resume racing on their regular Sunday through Thursday schedule at 4:05 p.m. on March 6.

(Miami Valley Raceway)