Dayton, OH – Shards Halo N (Aaron Merriman) dominated the $16,000 Open Mares Pace at Hollywood Dayton Raceway on Friday night (Oct. 11), downing her rivals by an easing 4-1/2 lengths in 1:51.3 on a rain-soaked racing strip.

Shards Halo N and Aaron Merriman were the winners of the featured Open Mares Pace at Hollywood Dayton Friday. Conrad Photo.

Merriman allowed eventual third place finisher Gone Girl (Tyler Smith), entering the race off two consecutive scores at this level, to clear to the front but immediately retook command at the :27 first quarter station.  Without a challenge, the heavy 2-5 favorite enjoyed a :29 second quarter breather before speeding through the third panel in :26.4 as Up Front Flor Ida (Brett Miller) ranged up on the outside. Once that challengers effort was thwarted, Allbeastnobeauty (Dan Noble) rallied furiously through the stretch to secure second, but without causing an anxious moment for the winner.

Shards Halo is owned by Scott George in partnership with trainer Tyler George.

Earlier on the card, Town Temptress won the $13,000 top conditioned pace for females.  It was the 23rd lifetime win for the 7-year-old daughter of Artiscape, who is five months in foal to Ohio stallion Mr Wiggles according to trainer Steve Bauder.

“We hope to reach $300,000 in earnings in her next start, then she’ll be put away to a well deserved comfortable life on the farm.”

A reminder that Hollywood Dayton will present matinee cards on both Saturday (Oct. 12) and Sunday (Oct. 13) this week with 2:15 p.m. post times.