Dayton, OH – Although the top spot in the Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway driver standings had long been secured, the final night of the 2025 meet delivered plenty of drama as drivers jockeyed for position on Tuesday (Dec. 30).
Brett Miller entered the 14-race finale holding a slim one win advantage over Tyler Smith for second place. Smith wasted no time, winning the opener with Caviart Donovan (1:53) to pull even. Miller answered 25 minutes later, reclaiming the edge with a 1:55 score behind Tellme U R Mydate.
Smith surged again with back-to-back victories in races 5 and 6, scoring with Americanfirewater (1:55.1) and Bluebird Lola (1:57) to move back into sole possession of second. But Miller closed the door for good, winning three of the next four races with Captain Dolmio N (1:55.2), Thisishoweyrock (1:55.4), and Secret Fire (1:53).
He capped his five win night by taking the finale with Merry Jerry (1:54.2), a 10-1 upset that sealed his runner-up finish in the standings
The meet’s leading driver, Chris Page, grabbed the lead midway in the meet and never looked back. His 164 wins and $2.2 million in earnings were well ahead of the field. Miller finished with 111 wins, three more than Smith. Luke Hanners recorded his 88th victory during the final card to edge Jeremy Smith’s 87 wins for fourth.
The 2026 training title was won by Ron Burke with 63 wins. Stave Carter was 20 wins behind Burke in second place. Virgil Morgan, Jr. (33 wins), Jason Brewer (26) and Jason Irwin (25) rounded out the top five conditioners.
The night’s biggest surprise came in the $10,000 condition claiming pace, where I’ma Chick Magnet (Carson Conrad) stormed up the passing lane to score a major upset.
Mama Said Zip It (Luke Hanners) controlled the fractions of :27.4, :56.2, and 1:24.4, but in the final turn Bossa Nova Star (Josh Sutton) and Nadia’s Littlebell (Kayne Kauffman) both vacated the rail. That opened the door for I’ma Chick Magnet, who slipped up the passing lane and nipped Bossa Nova Star by a head, with Nadia’s Littlebell another three quarters of a length back.
The victory was the gelding’s only win of the 2025 season, returning $130.20 to his backers. The homebred son of I’m Gorgeous is trained by Timothy Reck for Marjorie Polhamus.
The 2026 Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway season will get underway next September.