Dayton, OH – Driver Tyler Smith enjoyed a big night Tuesday (Sept. 30) winning four, and as a result supported his backers with a pair of long-shots at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.
The 32-year-old Smith took the opening race of the card with Real Thriller in 1:51.4. He came back in race 9 with a gate-to-wire effort with Fear The Hammer in 1:53.
Smith was just getting started and won back-to-back efforts with upsetters.
In the $13,000 2-year-old conditioned pace, Brix’s On Fire received a patient Smith drive and used a three-wide move around the final turn to score in 1:56.
Idrinkniknowthings (Chris Page) got the first call and led the field of eight through the first three stations in :28, :57.2 and 1:26.4.
Hong Kong Phooey (Sam Widger) was the first to challenge the leader down the backstretch, providing live cover for Uncle Charlie D (Ronnie Gillespie).
The eventual winner started in the outside post eight and was in last place for the first half of the mile. Smith sent Brix’s On Fire around rivals around the final turn and sprinted clear by 2-1/2 lengths over Hong Kong Phooey. Fire The Dems (Austin Hanners) was another length back in third and Uncle Charlie D rounded out the superfecta.
Brix’s On Fire is a freshman son of Catch The Fire and is trained by Jeff Smith for the partnership of Kathy J. Smith and James S. Everhart.
The winner paid $32.20.
Smith found himself right back in the winner’s circle the next race with Up Blueberry Hill in the $18,000 condition claiming trot.
Beaueastel (Chris Page) grabbed the early lead and was able to control the fractions with little pressure.
The last quarter mile was a different story, as the entire field of eight had a shot at the leader, creating a wild, five-horse photo finish in 1:55.
Up Blueberry Hill was a head better than Whiskey Pedler (Austin Hanners) and a half length better than Long Range (Trevor Smith), Send Rip (Hugh Beatty) and Gabbys Rockytop (Emanuel Miller).
Up Blueberry Hill rewarded his backers with a $31.20 win ticket.
The 6-year-old What The Hill gelding is trained by Herman Hagerman for Wayne Weaver.
Racing resumes Wednesday (Oct. 1) at Dayton Raceway with a 14-race card starting at 4 p.m.