stakes Recaps

Dunn wrapped up his evening by piloting Abuckabett Hanover to a neck victory over Little Rocket Man in 1:49.3 in the Dayton Pacing Derby. Muskateer Hanover finished third.

Abuckabett Hanover led to the opening quarter in :26.2 from post one before giving up the top spot to Little Rocket Man, who started from post eight. Little Rocket Man remained in front to the half in :54.2 and three-quarters in 1:22.1, but was being challenged by Muskateer Hanover, who had made a sustained first-over bid to draw even on the final turn.

As the field turned for home, Dunn moved Abuckabett Hanover into the passing lane and was able to get by Little Rocket Man in the final strides.

Abuckabett Hanover, a 6-year-old trained by Andrew Harris, has won five of 10 races this season and 20 of 69 lifetime, earning $1.78 million. The son of Betting Line-All Tucked Up is owned by William Pollock, Bruce Areman, and Harris. He was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms.

Dayton, OH — Double millionaire Tattoo Artist rolled to his fifth consecutive victory with a 1:48 win in Saturday’s (Sept. 30) $240,000 Dayton Pacing Derby. Louis-Philippe Roy landed the 6-year-old son of He’s Watching on the point to control, never having an anxious moment. Dr. Ian Moore trains Tattoo Artist for Let It Ride Stables, Frank Cannon, Diamond Creek Racing and Bottom Line Racing.

Bulldog Hanover rode second over cover and had to come three-wide off the final turn to win the $250,000 Dayton Pacing Derby in 1:50.1.

There was an early skirmish for the lead, with American Courage (Matt Kakaley) making the front through a quick first quarter of :26.2. Workin Ona Mystery (Miller) was flushed out by Bulldog Hanover (Dunn), coming to the half in :54.4.

Moving up the backstretch, the outer flow pressured the leader, and past the three-quarter pole, Bulldog Hanover tipped three-wide after being parked the mile and drew off to win easily in the stretch.

For the first time in its eight-year history, the $175,000 Dayton Pacing Derby produced a local winner.  Driver Dan Noble and Ocean Rock crushed a full field of North America’s best pacers in 1:48, over three lengths better than Nicholas Beach (Joe Bongiorno) and This Is The Plan (Yannick Gingras).  The four-year-old son of Rockin Amadeus, who now owns an impressive four-race win streak, has now banked $385,385 this season and over $900,000 lifetime for owner Sandra Burnett.

“This horse has taken us on such a great ride,” exclaimed trainer Christi Noble, Dan’s wife, while holding their infant son Nash in the winner’s circle.  “We made a bridle change this week and it seemed to help,” Dan chimed in.  When informed the 1:48 clocking was just one-fifth of a second off the all-time, all-age Hollywood Dayton track standard, Noble related “He had quite a bit left in the tank at the finish!”

Noble was content to get away third in the early going but confidently rushed Ocean Rock to the front as the field flashed by the stands the first time on the five-eighths mile oval.  Despite the noteworthy credentials of the field, Ocean Rock never experienced an anxious moment and cruised under the wire to the delight of an enthusiastic local crowd.

The handle on the 14-race Dayton Derby program was $697,053, the second largest in the track’s brief existence.

On a night when eight track records were either beaten or tied at Hollywood Dayton Raceway, Bettor’s Wish (Dexter Dunn) edged an outstanding field of North America’s top older pacers winning the seventh annual Dayton Pacing Derby in 1:49. Dancin Lou (Brian Sears) was lapped on the winner at the wire and Century Farroh (David Miller) was just beaten by a single length on Saturday (Oct. 3).

Bettor’s Wish was content to settle in fifth during the opening :26 panel, moved into the outer flow at the :54.2 halfway point, advanced to fourth by the 1:21.1 third timing beam, then scooted powerfully through the lane to win it.

Ohio racing fans watched in amazement as a pair of Buckeye-bred superstars turned the field into the stretch just a nose apart on the lead. But alas the quick fractions took their toll and when a quintet of nationally ranked Derby hopefuls paced final quarters under :28 seconds Sectionline Bigry (Tyler Smith) and Ocean Rock (Dan Noble) couldn’t fight them off.

Trainer Chris Ryder co-owns Bettor’s Wish with partners Bella Racing, Fair Island Farm and Bettor’s Wish Partners. The Derby triumph was just his third in eight 2020 starts, but boosted his bankroll to $2,213,033 with 21 victories in 39 races.
Handle for the Derby card was $594,093–the second highest of track history.

“Racing fans love to see great horses in full competitive fields,” said Director Of Racing Jason Bluhm. “Our race office and our track crew did a tremendous job on our marquee event and adding the eight $60,000 Buckeye Stallion Series championships on the supporting card proved to be a recipe for a great night.”

In the $151,750 Dayton Pacing Derby, Jimmy Freight (Scott Zeron) upset a field that included five millionaires to capture the $151,750 Dayton Pacing Derby. The 10-1 longshot topped McWicked (Brian Sears) and Western Fame (Dan Noble) by a length and a quarter in 1:48.3.

Western Fame made the pace through :26.1, :53.3 and 1:20.4 splits before McWicked came calling around the final bend with Jimmy Freight in tow.  This Is The Plan (Yannick Gingras) joined the trio of combatants and it looked like anybody’s race until Jimmy Freight pulled away in deep stretch.

“I was hoping I could follow McWicked in this race and it worked out perfect,” said Zeron in the winner’s circle.  “Scott DiDomenico does a great job with this horse and I’m real happy for owner Adriano Sorella, who was here tonight.”

Jimmy Freight returned a $23.20 mutuel.