Dayton standout back to the winner’s circle

DAYTON, OH. – Sectionline Bigry roared back into the Ohio harness racing limelight on Saturday (Nov. 20) at Hollywood Dayton Raceway.

Although he has been highly competitive in the featured weekly Open events at both Eldorado Scioto Downs and Hollywood Dayton over the last four months, this rousing 1:51 victory was the first since July 21 for the outstanding 6-year-old son of Pet Rock.

Driver Brett Miller chose come-from-behind tactics when he saw recent winners Family Recipe (Chris Page) and Gold Digger King (Tyler Smith) leaving alertly from their assigned outside post positions.

Sectionline Bigry was settled into fifth along the pylons through the opening :26 second panel, then picked up second-over cover in the outer flow, following Prince Of Tides (Tony Hall), nearing the halfway point reached in :55.1.  Miller waited patiently down the backstretch until just prior to the 1:22.1 third quarter station when he sent his charge three wide and powering to the front through the stretch.

SECTIONLINE BIGRY REPLAY

Based on his previous 28 victories and $628,737 bankroll, the public made the winner the morning line favorite.  He responded by returning $4.60 to his backers.  Longshot One Corona To Go (Kayne Kauffman), who followed as far back as seventh in the early stages, flew through the stretch to finish second.  Prince Of Tides held for third.  The correct $2 exacta paid a handsome $136.

Harold Lee Bauder of Delaware, Ohio, bred and still owns Sectionline Bigry, whose seasonal earnings jumped to $71,460 with his second triumph in just 13 starts.

About an hour and a half later, the Open II pacers went postward chasing a $24,000 purse.  The combatants outdid their Open I brethren with a 1:50.2 mile.  Favored Butter Bay Hanover (Kayne Kauffman) utilized a perfect pocket ride behind the eventual show finisher Loutenant (Tyler Smith) before pouncing from the two-hole at the top of the stretch and powering to the wire in front.  Jersey Jim (Brett Miller) closed well to secure the show spot.

Next live racing at Hollywood Dayton will be Monday afternoon with a new earlier than usual 2 p.m. start.

For full race results, click here.

by Gregg Keidel, for Dayton Raceway