Lebanon, OH – Hey Hey Mama took advantage of a short Open field and won the $36,000 featured Thursday night (Feb. 19) event for pacing mares at Miami Valley Raceway.
With just a field of five going postward, Hey Hey Mama left from post four to a hotly contested quarter of :26.1. After clearing for the lead just past the quarter, Hey Hey Mama led the field single file to the half in :55.1.
As they turned up the backside, even-money favorite Naked On A Hill pulled from last and began her charge. Just before the three-quarters, Sarasota Hanover slipped out and forced Naked On A Hill three-wide as Hey Hey Mama continued to lead them in 1:23.1. As they paced the final turn and straightened up for home, Hey Hey Mama continued to show the way by a half-length with Naked On A Hill three-wide and another half-length back while Fearless Ginger looked to slide up the inside. In deep stretch, Naked On A Hill closed quickly but ran out of racetrack as Hey Hey Mama hung on for the win in 1:51. Naked On A Hill was second while Fearless Ginger finished third.
The win was the second of the year and the 22nd lifetime victory for the 6-year-old mare. It gave trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. one of his two wins on the card; the other was with Strong Poison in the Filly and Mare Open II. Kayne Kauffman and Ron Burke also picked up training doubles.
After seven weeks of racing, Virgil Morgan Jr. continues to lead all trainers at Miami Valley with 31 wins. Ron Burke sits in second with 26, as Heather France (24), Steve Carter (18) and Elson Miller and Ken Rucker (11 each) round out the top five.
Racing action will return Sunday (Feb. 22) with a post time of 4 p.m. (EST).