Lyons Sentinel breaks track record in Dayton Distaff Derby
Dayton, OH — To virtually no one’s surprise, Lyons Sentinel dominated her foes in the $175,000 Dayton Distaff Derby on Saturday (Oct. 2), lowering the track record for mares to 1:48.2.
Driver Tim Tetrick got the winner away fourth but rushed her to the lead just past the quarter-mile mark.
Rocknificent (Scott Zeron) had left alertly in the early going but yielded to Lyons Sentinel to secure a pocket ride behind the current No. 1 ranked horse in the Hambletonian Society-Breeders Crown poll. The result, however, was the same as Rocknificent finished second for the sixth time in her last seven starts—five of those runner-up finishes to Lyons Sentinel. Miss You N (Dexter Dunn) raced creditably to finish third.
Threelyonsracing of Brantford, Ontario, owns the winning four-year-old daughter of Captaintreacherous. She is trained by Jim King Jr., who also conditioned the last dominant distaff pacer in the sport—Shartin N.
Ocean Rock becomes first local Dayton Derby Winner
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.
Back Of The Neck pulls Dayton Trotting Derby Upset
Back Of The Neck (Ake Svanstedt) pulled a mild upset and broke the local track record for four-year-old male trotters at Hollywood Dayton Raceway on Saturday (Oct. 2). Nailing runnerup When Dovescry (David Miller) in the final stride of the 1:51.4 mile, the lightly raced son of Ready Cash triumphed for the second straight week after winning a top conditioned trot at The Meadowlands last week.
“This is a very good horse,” exclaimed Svanstedt in the winner’s circle. “When he’s in his top form he can go with these top trotters.”
It took every inch of the mile for Back Of The Neck to earn the victory by a nose over the pacesetter When Dovescry. Former Hambletonian winner Forbidden Trade (Bob McClure) nabbed the show dough in the stellar field that included four millionaires and combined earnings over $11 million.
It was the 11th career win for Back Of The Neck from just 28 lifetime starts. He is owned by Howard Taylor, the Order By Stable, J. Taylor, B. Cynwyd and Svanstedt.
