Hey Hey Mama defeated four opponents with a front-end effort to take the $49,315 Fillies and Mares Open Pace on Thursday, Feb. 19 at Miami Valley Raceway.

Hey Hey Mama left from post four for Luke Hanners to take control at the end of a hotly contested quarter of :26.1. After clearing to the lead, Hey Hey Mama led the group single file to the half in :55.1. As they turned up the backside, even-money favourite Naked On A Hill (David Miller) pulled from last and began her charge, and she was forced three-wide as Sarasota Hanover (Jeremy Smith) slipped out approaching three-quarters in 1:23.1. 

Hey Hey Mama showed the way around the final turn with Sarasota Hanover to her outside, Naked On A Hill three-wide, and Fearless Ginger (Chris Page) looking to slide up the rail. In deep stretch, Naked On A Hill closed quickly but ran out of racetrack as Hey Hey Mama hung on for the win by a length in 1:51. Naked On A Hill was second, and Fearless Ginger finished third.

The win was the second of the year in five outings and the 22nd lifetime victory from 76 starts for the six-year-old Hey Hey Mama. Virgil Morgan Jr. trains the daughter of Downbytheseaside-Rolluptherim and shares ownership with Odds On Racing. The winner returned $6.

Morgan made it a sweep of the features as Strong Poison ($9) captured the $43,836 Fillies and Mares Open II Handicap Pace by a neck in 1:52 with David Miller at the lines. Kayne Kauffman and Ron Burke also picked up training doubles.

After seven weeks of racing, Morgan continues to lead all trainers at Miami Valley with 31 wins. Ron Burke sits in second with 26, and Heather France (24), Steve Carter (18) and Elson Miller/Ken Rucker (11) round out the first five places.

Racing action will return to Miami Valley this Sunday with a post time of 4 p.m. 

(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)