Oak Grove, KY — Sent off as the 2-5 choice, Brandon Bates placed He’zzz A Wise Sky on the point and the chalk coasted to a 1:51.1 victory in the $30,000 Open Pace on opening day at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel on Monday (April 1).

He’zzz A Wise Sky coasted to a 1:51.1 victory in the $30,000 Open Pace. Mark Herron photo.

Bates secured the lead with He’zzz A Wise Sky out of post two and pocketed Rocks Shining Star (Devon Tharps) to a :27.1 first quarter as Mac’s Marvel (Jimmy Whittemore) got away third.

With no challengers looming past the stands the first time, He’zzz A Wise Sky slowed proceedings to a :57.1 half before hitting the accelerator to uncork a sprint up the backside to three-quarters in 1:24. Rocks Shining Star grew antsy from the pocket and pulled to take his shot at the leader in the stretch, though Bates stayed chilly in the sulky to win by a measured half-length at the beam. Seth Hanover (Joey Putnam) grabbed third.

He’zzz A Wise Sky has now won three times from nine tries this season and 51 times from 111 starts overall, banking $712,129. John Filomeno conditions the 7-year-old stallion by Yankee Skyscaper for owner Triple ZZZ Stable. He paid $2.88 to win.

In the co-featured $30,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace, Ainthesamewithoutu (Tony Hall) climbed from last to first to win in hand in 1:52.3.

The Anette Lorentzon trainee floated away last in the field of sixth and got underway along the rim after Maggie Rhee (Todd Warren) seized the lead to a :26.3 first quarter. Marching uncovered, Ainthesamewithoutu progressed to third passing three-quarters in 1:24.2 and kept charging through the final turn and in the straightaway to down Maggie Rhee by 1-1/2 lengths. Better Double Flip (Tim Wilson Jr.) followed the winner’s cover to grab third.

A 5-year-old mare by Sweet Lou, Ainthesamewithoutu won her third race from nine starts this season and her 17th from 58 overall, banking $345,515. Lorentzon owns the mare who paid $6.18 to win.

Live racing resumes at Oak Grove on Tuesday (April 2) with the featured race slated for race five on the 12-race card, a $30,000 Open Trot.

Tuesday’s card also features a $1,020.34 carryover in the Early Pick-4 (starting in race three) and a $2,187.48 carryover in the Late Pick-5 (starting in race six). First-race post time at Oak Grove is 3 p.m. (CDT).