Dayton, OH — Hollywood Dayton Raceway kicked off its 78-day 2019 season on Monday (Sept. 9) with a 14 race matinee featuring full fields and competitive racing over a newly resurfaced race track that drew praise from the driving colony.

A pair of reinsmen scored hat tricks on the opening day program while another trio notched driving doubles.

Defending Dayton dash champion Jeremy Smith captured three races with Princess Rockette ($6.40), Nyquist ($18.40) and Dragonfly ($3.40). Trevor Smith (no relation although both Jeremy and Trevor are lifelong Washington Court House, Ohio residents) matched the feat by visiting the winner’s circle with Crown Isle ($15.40), Parklane Glamorous ($30.40) and Rocking Zoe ($7.20).

Dan Noble, Brett Miller and Josh Sutton each won a pair of races. Shawn Barker II and Jason Beattie each got their initial driving wins of the 2019 Dayton season as well.

Quickest mile on opening day was recorded by Beach Ogre in 1:52 for Sutton and owner-trainer Noah Garrett. The 6-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere pushed his career earnings over the $250,000 plateau with the impressive front end tally.

“The track is really fast for the first day of the meet,” exclaimed Sutton when asked about the newly reconditioned five-eighths-mile oval. “And it can only get faster as more horses go over it. We may not lose any days to bad weather and poor track conditions this year. It seems much better than the last couple years.”

Another 14 races and 125 horses are slated to appear on day two (Tuesday, Sept. 10) with a 2:15 p.m. post time.