Lebanon, OH — Sam Widger, currently third in the dash standings at Miami Valley Raceway, had quite a day on Sunday (Feb. 5). The 59-year-old driver, with over 7,350 wins in his career, scored four wins in the span of five races, good for a whopping $44,500 in purse earnings. Included in Widger’s wins were the richest three races on the program.

Big Teddy stepped up to the plate for his first swing at the $30,000 Open I, and he hit it out of the park. The 5-year-old son of Big Jim, a recent acquisition by the Golden Gaits USO Stable of Columbus, upset Let It Ride N (Dan Noble) and Brookview Bullet (Jordan Ross) in a new lifetime record of 1:50.

Big Teddy won Sunday’s Open I Pace at Miami Valley in 1:50. Conrad photo.

It was the 12th win in 49 starts for Big Teddy, boosting his lifetime earnings to over $100,000. Trainer R.J. Murphy has done a masterful job climbing the condition ladder with him since the acquisition.

He got away third in the :26.4 first quarter, sped to the front before the :55 half, then paced an equally quick :55 second half to win by two lengths. Big Teddy paid $29.20 to win.

Widger also pulled a mild upset with Big Gulp in the $25,000 Open II Pace, beating Incredible Man (Brandon Bates) and VP Rockin (Brett Miller) in 1:52.3. The 5-year-old son of Always A Virgin now sports 25 wins from just 62 starts for owners Jeff Fought Racing and Brian Carsey and trainer Walter Haynes Jr. Widger used a close-up two-hole trip then sprung from the pocket at the head of the lane, paying $9.40.

Somewhereinverona provided Widger with a 1:51 triumph in the highest condition class, a $22,000 event, beating Saulsbrook Genesis (Chris Page) and Betterrock (Noble). Todd Luther trains the 5-year-old gray son of Somebeachsomewhere for his brother, Greg Luther.

She’s Magical was Widger’s fourth winner. She won a $12,000 mid-range condition race for owner Maynard Miller and was conditioned by Haynes. It was the third win in last four starts.

Racing at Miami Valley resumes Monday (Feb. 6) at 4 p.m.