Sectionline Bigry set a track record when winning the $17,500 Omar Hiteman Memorial, one of two in another pair of ‘Lebanon Legends’ late-closer events, on the Tuesday, April 3 matinee at Miami Valley Raceway.
Winning in 1:51, Sectionline Bigry lowered the track record for sophomore pacing colts by besting heavy-favourite Mindtrip from a first-over trip. Driver Tyler Smith sent Sectionline Bigry after Mindtrip, who took the front after a first-quarter speed battle between Cgs Boy Toy and Colin N Down, pacing through the backstretch. Sectionline Bigry and Mindtrip were head to head around the final turn, with Sectionline Bigry winning by a neck. Skyway Quinton finished third.
The winner of the Omar Hiteman Memorial, for non-winners of two or $20,000 lifetime, is a homebred owned by Harold Lee and Harold L. Bauder. Steve Bauder trains the colt by Pet Rock out of the Cambest mare Aquatic Yankee.
Following a half-hour weather delay as a thunderstorm passed through the area, the $22,500 Dr. Dan Farwick Memorial Trot final, for non-winners of six races or $60,000, went postward.
Elmo Blatch, discovered by owner-trainer David Lough just days before becoming an Amish buggy horse late last year, extended his win streak to five with a 1:56.3 victory. Lough’s son, Tylor, positioned Elmo Blatch, the 3-5 favourite, to sit fourth along the pylons in the early going. Following early fractions of :27, :56.2 and 1:25.2 by eventual show finisher Rose Run Spanky, Lough angled Elmo Blatch three-wide around the final bend. After clearing the leader, Elmo Blatch maintained his lead as Starlight AS rallied to the wire for second.
Racing will resume Thursday, April 5 at Miami Valley with a special make-up matinee program at 2:05 p.m.
(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)