Dayton, OH — Fresh off an all-time record handle, Hollywood Dayton Raceway will present the final four programs of its 70-day 2021 meet with 2 p.m. matinees Monday (Dec. 27) through Thursday (Dec. 30).

The Thursday (Dec. 23) matinee produced an all-sources handle of $850,522, the highest figure in the eight-year history of the southwest Ohio oval. The all-time total meet handle record is also in serious jeopardy.

A total of 910 races have been conducted thus far this season, an average of 13.79 races per card. With an average field size of 8.65, betting favorites have been winning at a 39.34 percent clip. After seven consecutive years of No. 5 being the winningest post position, it appears No. 4 will prevail in 2021. Possibly due to the installation of a passing lane in September, No. 4 has won 160 races (17.6 percent), while No. 5 has produced 139 winners (15.3 percent).

With four programs remaining, driver Tyler Smith is seeking his first Hollywood Dayton dash title. He has a 119-105 lead over Chris Page, followed in the top ten by Tony Hall (95), Brett Miller (87), Jeremy Smith (77), Josh Sutton (76), Kayne Kauffman (72), Trevor Smith (53), Mitch Cushing (36) and Jason Beattie (28). The top four reinsmen have all earned more than $1 million in purses, headed by Tyler Smith with his mounts banking $1,325,222 thus far.

On the training side, Ron Burke looks likely to capture his second local conditioner’s crown. With a .389 UTR, he holds a 49-35 advantage over runner-up Jason Brewer. The top ten also includes Virgil Morgan Jr. (27), Peter Redder (24), J.D. Perrin (21), the trio of Mike Hitchcock, Chris McGuire and Kayne Kauffman (17 apiece), and the duo of Jeff Smith and Larry Finn (15 each). Horses hailing from the Burke Brigade have banked $717,163 at Hollywood Dayton through 66 dates.

The highlight of the closing day card on Thursday will be a $30,000 Open Pace. Dojea Gizmo, the winner of a $60,000 mini-series final for Open pacers in his last start, will be the likely favorite for Black Magic Racing.