Dayton, OH – M-M’s Dream, Lexus Kody, Twin B Joe Fresh, and Ervin Hanover were winners in $250,000 Dayton Derby graded stakes Saturday night (Sept. 27) at Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway.
In the Grade 1 $250,000 Dayton Oaks Derby, Yannick Gingras got the first of his two Derby wins on the night for trainer Ron Burke by guiding M-M’s Dream to a length victory ahead of Jurassic Hattie in 1:51.3. Elista Hanover was third. M-M’s Dream, who is owned by Hillside Stables and Frank Baldachino, paid $5.40 to win.
Two races later, Gingras’ second winner for Burke was Lexus Kody who came from sixth place at the top of the stretch to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:51.4 in the Grade 2 $250,000 Dayton Trotting Derby. Aetos Kronos S was second and Chapercraz third. Burke is also co-owner with Weaver Bruscemi and Phillip Colura. The winner paid $3.40.
The 2024 Horse of the Year, Twin B Joe Fresh, was an easy winner of the Grade 2 $250,000 Dayton Distaff Derby by 4-1/4 lengths in 1:48.4 with Dexter Dunn in the bike. Chris Ryder trains and co-owns with Dunn, Peter Trebotica and Barry Spak. Sylvia Hanover finished second and Seaside Diva was third. Twin B Joe Fresh paid $2.10 to win.
In a photo finish, Ervin Hanover prevailed by a neck over Captain Albano in the Grade 2 $250,000 Dayton Pacing Derby. Maximus Miki was third. Driven by Louis Roy and trained by David Menary for Pollack Racing, Ervin Hanover completed the mile in 1:47.2 and paid $5 to win.
Complete story to follow.