After missing as the favourite in the top class last week, No Lou Zing rebounded with a stern rally along the rim to grab victory in the $24,000 Open Pace at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel on Sunday afternoon (April 30).
Leaving from post five, driver Kevin Wallis floated the Wayne Oke trainee off the wings while Hezzz A Wise Sky (driven by Tyler Shehan) pushed for the lead to a :27 first quarter. Slowing proceedings to a :56.1 half, Hezzz A Wise Sky tried to peel away from his competition with a sprint up the backside and clocked three-quarters in 1:23.3. No Lou Zing nonetheless advanced uncovered in the backstretch sprint and powered forward through the final turn to collar Hezzz A Wise Sky and stroll to a 1-3/4-length victory in 1:52.2. Tookadiveoffdipper (Atlee Bender) followed the winner's move to grab second while Hezzz A Wise Sky held third and American Dreamer (Devon Tharps) took fourth.
No Lou Zing, a six-year-old gelding by Sweet Lou, has now won 17 races from 65 starts and banked $757,892. A Piece Of The Action LLC owns the gelding, who paid $3.78 to win.
The tandem of trainer Erv Miller and driver Atlee Bender set up a clinic on the 11-race card with Miller winning three races and Bender taking five total. The two paired for wins with Bay City (1:54 winning mile; $3.40 to win), Morning Edition (1:58; $10.50) and Western Era (1:52.1; $6.90) while Bender won two more with JDs Queen Bethany (1:57; $8.14) and Folsom Prison (1:56; $2.34).
Live harness racing at Oak Grove resumes Monday, May 1. First post is 3 p.m. CDT (4 p.m. EDT).
(Oak Grove Racing)