Lebanon, OH — A pair of 1:51.3 miles topped the Thursday (Jan. 6) action at Miami Valley Raceway with Ubuntu (Dan Noble) demolishing a field of $30,000 claiming pacers and GD Western Joe (Chris Page) elevated to first place in the $30,000 Open I Pace.

GD Western Joe, obscured at the inside, was elevated to victory in Thursday’s Open I Pace at Miami Valley after being inconvenienced in deep stretch. Conrad photo.

Blank Stare actually reached the finish line first in the Open, but was found guilty of drifting into Sectionline Bigry, causing him to check slightly late in the stretch drive. When the lane along the pylons opened up, it allowed GD Western Joe to close with a rush and finish second before ultimately being named the official winner by the judges.

It was the 34th career win for GD Western Joe, trained by Ron Burke, The 7-year-old son of Real Desire’s bankroll now stands at $727,030.

Ubuntu used gate-to-wire tactics to trounce his foes and earn his fourth straight victory in Ohio. Following a victory in a $12,500 claimer at Hollywood Dayton in early December, the 5-year-old Pet Rock gelding has reeled off another pair of triumphs in $15,000 claiming events before double-jumping in class to secure this latest success against $30,000 claiming competition.

Racing will resume Sunday afternoon (Jan. 9) with the regular 4:05 p.m. post time. Miami Valley offers racing Sundays through Thursdays during the 2022 meet.