Hungry Lizzo used a grinding first-over trip to take the $49,315 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace on Thursday, March 12 at Miami Valley Raceway.

Leaving from post five, Hungry Lizzo floated off the gate and landed in fifth for Trevor Smith as Fear Our Fayth (Koltin Noble) went to the front to lead the field past the quarter in :27.1. Up on the outside, Naked On A Hill (Chris Page) was parked out and had to press on, eventually clearing for the lead as the field neared the turn for the half in :55.4. As they moved into the bend, Hungry Lizzo pulled first-over from fifth to begin her charge to the front. 

Naked On A Hill had opened up by two lengths on Fear Our Fayth up the backstretch while Hungry Lizzo continued to grind it out on the outside, slowly inching closer to the leader and dragging Dry Creek Princess (Luke Hanners) along with her. As they passed three-quarters in 1:24, Hungry Lizzo had reeled in Naked On A Hill and drew even with her as they exited the final turn. Into the stretch, Hungry Lizzo took the lead and thwarted the challenge of Dry Creek Princess, finishing strong to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:52. Dry Creek Princess was second and Seaside Diva (Austin Hanners) rallied for third.

The win was Hungry Lizzo's second of the year in four starts and her 24th lifetime in 104 career tries, pushing her career earnings to $491,995. The six-year-old daughter of Stay Hungry-Up Front Elizabeth is owned by Bradley Delaney. She paid $4.20 to win. Trainer Deb Swartz recorded her second win of the night, the earlier one coming with Kb Wrecking Ball (1:53.3).

David Miller and Luke Hanners each found themselves in the winner's circle four times on the 14-race card. Hanners led all drivers with 12 wins this week, followed closely by Miller with 11. Trainers Mike Hitchcock, Ed Miller and Swartz each had a training double.

After 10 weeks, the drivers' standings have remained a tight race for first and second, and for third and fourth. David Miller continues to lead the way with 88 wins to Chris Page's 84. Luke Hanners (69) and Brett Miller (66) are fighting it out for third while Trace Tetrick (47) rounds out the top five.

On the training side, Ron Burke (42) has created a little breathing room from Virgil Morgan Jr. (38), with Heather France (32), Steve Carter (25) and Mike Hitchcock (16) rounding out the top five.

Racing returns to Miami Valley on Sunday with a post time of 4 p.m.

(Miami Valley Raceway)