Lebanon, OH — Following four very narrow defeats, Sectionline Bigry returned to his winning ways in the Thursday (Jan. 20) $30,000 Open I Handicap Pace at Miami Valley Raceway.

Sectionline Bigry “rushed and crushed,” as announcer Barry Vicroy described it, in Thursday’s $30,000 Open I Pace at Miami Valley. Conrad photo.

Driver Brett Miller floated out of the gate and settled in sixth during the opening :27.2 panel. After leader YS Mathis (Dan Noble) reached the half in :55.2, Miller moved Sectionline Bigry 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 swung three-wide halfway around the final turn and swooped to the front in the 1:50.2 contest, 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.

Sectionline Bigry’s owner, Harold Bauder, also co-owns his dam, Aquatic Yankee, a recent inductee into the Ohio Harness Racing Hall of Fame. The 7-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 millionaire, who has resided in the Dan Dubeansky Stable for the past several years.

Fan Of Terror (Tyler Smith) was victorious in the $20,000 highest condtioned 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 5-year-old by Pet Rock was a $12,500 claimer in early December when his win streak began. Both runner-up McMoe (Chris Page) and 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.