Dayton, OH — Trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. and owner Odds On Racing swept the top two distaff pacing events Thursday evening (Dec. 4) at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, winning with Hey Hey Mama and Strong Poison.
Luke Hanners gave Hey Hey Mama a perfect pocket trip to take the $28,000 Open Pace.
Fearless Ginger (Chris Page) was hustled off the gate’s wings and grabbed control, putting Hey Hey Mama in the pocket at the opening quarter in :27.3.
As the field of nine passed the stands for the first time, Wild Rosa (Tyler Smith) pulled and started the outer flow before the half-mile station in a comfortable :57.
Fearless Ginger and Wild Rosa picked up the pace, racing in tandem down the backside and hitting the three-quarters in 1:24.4.
Hey Hey Mama sat patiently in the pocket and bounced with a passing lane move to score a one-length win over Fearless Ginger in 1:52.2.
Side Piece (Trace Tetrick) was third; Wild Rosa rounded out the superfecta.
Morgan and Odds On Racing share ownership in the 5-year-old Downbytheseaside mare.
She has won four of her last five starts at Dayton Raceway.
The $24,000 Open II Filly and Mare Pace was a gate-to-wire effort for Strong Poison (Chris Page).
A pair of Morgan trainees battled for the early lead, but Sarasota Hanover (Luke Hanners) elected to let stablemate Strong Poison to grab the lead.
The field raced in single file through the half in identical :28.1 panels.
Lyin’ Eyes (Josh Sutton) was the first to pull in the paddock turn, but Strong Poison had opened some daylight at the three-quarters in 1:24.1.
Strong Poison cruised home in 1:53 to record a 3-1/2-length win over Lyin’ Eyes.
Celebrate Me Home (Austin Hanners) nipped Jules Hill (Brett Miller) at the line for third.
The winning Always B Miki mare had been off since a third-place effort on Oct. 30.
Strong Poison, a winner of $1.1 million during her four-year racing career, is owned exclusively by Odds On Racing.
There were several big win payouts during the evening making for an average win ticket of $25 on the 14-race card.
Driver Chris Page had another big night with four trips to the winner’s circle.
Racing at Dayton Raceway resumes Friday (Dec. 5) with a 4 p.m. first post. Free past performance programs are available at hollywooddaytonraceway.com.
Saturday’s (Dec. 6) card will feature the Ohio Harness Horseman’s Association’s annual Charity Night with 10 Dayton area charities being teamed up with local horses to race for a total of $32,000.