Dayton, OH — Driver Brett Miller and Southernsunshine overcame cold and windy conditions and drew away from a full field of 10 in the $18,000 condition claiming trot on Veterans Day (Tuesday, Nov. 11) at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.
Miller hustled the 6-year-old Pinetucky mare off the gate’s wings and opened up a three-length lead over A Blue Million (Luke Hanners) before the quarter in :27.1.
The headstrong Southernsunshine rebuffed first-up challenges from Big Boys Edge (Sam Widger) and Sure Did (Jeremy Smith) at the half in :57.3 and three-quarters in 1:26.1.
Southernsunshine closed the deal with a :29.3 final quarter to record the 1-1/2-length victory over Sure Did in 1:55.4.
Big Boys Edge edged out a fast-closing La Lolita (Josh Sutton) for the show spot.
It is the 10th career win for the Stacey Van Huizen trainee.
The winner is co-owned by John Stoll and breeder Claude Powers.
In the $15,000 conditioned pace, Gonzo was just that after grabbing the lead before the half and cruised to a 1-3/4-length score.
Fully A Dragon (Marvin Luna) was the first to leave and sprinted past the quarter mile in :27.1.
Driver Tyler Smith eased the eventual winner off the rail as the field of 10 went by the grandstand for the first time.
Gonezo led past the half in :56.2 and three-quarters in 1:23.3.
The bettors’ choice repelled the second effort by the pocket-sitting Fully A Dragon and tripped the timer in 1:53.
Lick Creek Stock Farm owns the sophomore son of Lazarus N.
Jace Sundeen trains the winner of two straight.
Jeremy Smith finished the evening with four driving wins.
Dayton Raceway continues its race week on Wednesday (Nov. 12) with a 14-race card.