Dayton, OH — The Open Trot at the 2019 Hollywood Dayton meet has produced a host of different winners, and in keeping with the trend, the weekly $17,500 feature produced another new winner’s circle visitor on Thursday night (Nov. 21).

John DeLong guided Whata Swan to victory in Hollywood Dayton’s $17,500 Open Trot on Thursday night. Ben Holton photo.

Whata Swan (John DeLong), a sophomore son of Swan For All, added his name to the lengthening list by beating Lindy’s Big Bang (Brandon Bates) and Sweet Mr Pinetucky in 1:54.2 as the lukewarm favorite. The Katricia Adams trainee got away fourth for DeLong, moved up to third on the outside at the half, overtook early leader Tugboat Tuffy (Josh Sutton) at the three-quarters, then held off a quartet of closers in the stretch.

It was the seventh win in 24 tries for Whata Swan, who increased his seasonal earnings to $124,059. The 1:54.2 clocking was just two-fifths of a second off his lifetime best, which was taken in stakes action at Harrah’s Hoosier Park this summer. John Barnard of Miami, Fla., owns the classy colt who earned $22,418 as a 2-year-old before bursting onto the Indiana stakes scene this year.

Whata Swan paid $6.40 to win; coupled with 10-1 shot Lindy’s Big Bang, the $2 exacta returned $34.80.

Racing resumes Friday night (Nov. 22) at Hollywood Dayton, including a $6,000 guaranteed pool in the seventh-race 20-cent Hi-5. First race post time is 6:05 p.m.