Lebanon, OH — Thrilling finishes and quick miles were prevalent on Saturday night (Feb. 15) at Miami Valley Raceway, highlighted by a $22,500 Open I Pace, a $20,000 Open II Pace, and the final two preliminary divisions of the second annual Bill Dailey Memorial Medley.

I’m A Big Deal used a pocket trip to upset Windsong Leo in 1:51.1 in Miami Valley’s Open I on Saturday night. Conrad Photo.

I’m A Big Deal (Brett Miller) pulled a mild upset over Windsong Leo (Chris Page) in the Open I, managing a ‘head’ decision in 1:51.1.  Windsong Leo, a winner in six of his last seven outings versus Open company, cut the mile with I’m A Big Deal sitting snug in the pocket throughout the contest.  After fractions of :26.3, :56.1 and 1:23.3 the favorite was still able to close in :27.3, but the winner was a tick or two quicker to gain a slight advantage in the final two strides.  My Hero Ron (Tyler Smith) was forced to race first-over on the outside much of the mile and finished third.

It was the first win in nine local starts since I’m A Big Deal was plucked from the Harrisburg sale last November by owner Bottom Line Racing of Boca Raton, Florida, and trainer Virgil Morgan Jr.  However, the 5-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere has managed a win in a top condition pace and three runner-up finishes in the weekly features to earn about $40,000 in his first three months in Ohio.

The Open II event was captured by Shagnwiththedragon (John DeLong) over Rose Run Uriah (Jeremy Smith) and The Dark Shadow (Sam Widger) in 1:51.  Dropping out of the Open I after a month of fourth and fifth-place finishes, the 6-year-old son of Dragon Again flashed a huge closing kick to secure his 20th-lifetime triumph.  J. D. Perrin trains the winner for his wife Tessa and her partner Eim Racing Stable.

The Bill Dailey Memorial Medley started with five-eighths mile dashes in three $12,500 divisions in the first leg, then followed up with two $17,500 divisions going a mile on Saturday.  The top nine money winners from those first two legs will assemble next Saturday night for a $25,000 championship tilt at 1-1/4 miles.

Royale Rose (Tyler Smith) was a ‘nose’ winner in 1:52.4 in the first split at one mile, edging Angelo J Fra (Page) with Manny (DeLong) finishing third.  Daniel Stone conditions the 7-year-old Ashlees Big Guy gelding for S & S Racing Stable and Bert Turner.  It was the 27^th career tally for the lifetime winner of $333,932.

Just N Ace (Widger) edged stablemate Uncmprmising Z Tam (Ricky Macomber Jr.) by a neck in the second division, clocked in 1:51.1.  Champion Rock (Smith) grabbed the show dough and a ticket into the championship dance.  Jamie Macomber trains the winning 5-year-old son United Ace for the Eleven Star Stables.

The lineup for the $25,000 Bill Dailey Memorial Medley championship consists of Royale Rose, Just N Ace, American Dreamer, Dave And Dennis, Life On The Beach A, Uncmprmising Z Tam, Angela J Fra, Stormy West and Champion Rock.