Following four very narrow defeats, Sectionline Bigry returned to his winning ways in Thursday’s $30,000 Open I Handicap Pace at Miami Valley.
Driver Brett Miller floated out of the gate and settled in sixth during the opening :27.2 panel. After the leader, YS Mathis (Dan Noble) reached the half in :55.2, Miller moved the winner to the outside and secured a second-over position as the three quarter timer flashed 1:23.2.
It is unusual these days to see the final quarter be the quickest in a mile, but that was the case in this weekly feature. Sectionline Bigry was swung three wide halfway around the final turn and swooped to the front in the 1:50.2 contest. The final clocking was the fastest thus far at the 2022 Miami Valley meet.
YS Mathis held for second with Blank Stare (Tony Hall) grabbing the show spot following a pocket ride most of the mile. Family Recipe (LeWayne Miller), off a two month respite, was a hard charging fourth; Dojea Gizmo (Trevor Smith) earned the final check in the talented nine horse field.
Sectionline Bigry’s owner is Harold Bauder, who also co-owns his dam Aquatic Yankee, a recent inductee into the Ohio Harness Racing Hall of Fame. The seven-year-old son of Pet Rock has now amassed $712,697 with 32 wins in 87 lifetime starts for trainer Steve Bauder.
The Open II was captured by My Hero Ron (Tony Hall), who bested Rock Steady Ron (Trace Tetrick) and Oberlin (Tyler Smith) in 1:51.2. Brian Witt owns the 10-year-old $1.17 million winner. He has resided in the Dan Dubeansky Stable for the past several years.
Fan Of Terror (Tyler Smith) was victorious in the $20,000 highest condition race on the Thursday program. Another 10-year-old, the son of Western Terror got the best of Aeroblast (Kayne Kauffman) and Father Ted GB ((Brett Miller) in 1:52. It was the 59th lifetime win for Fan Of Terror, who sports earnings of $623,034. Peter Redder conditions the winner for owner Therl Hensley.
In a $30,000 claiming event, Ubuntu (Noble) ran his win streak to five with a convincing 1:53 score. The five-year-old by Pet Rock was a $12,500 claimer in early December when his win streak began. Both the runner-up Mcmoe (Chris Page) and the show finisher Nassau Desire (Tyler Smith) were claimed from the track’s top claimer, but Ubuntu was not and will remain in the Christi Noble Stable.
Miami Valley will be dark on Friday and Saturday, but will return to the normal Sunday through Thursday schedule with a 4:05 p.m. post time.
(Miami Valley Raceway)