Dayton, OH – She wasn’t listed in the race program, but Hannah’s Treasure Chest was a big winner Saturday night (Dec. 6) at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway thanks to the efforts of Intrepid Ivy. The 9-year-old pacer was partnered with the Dayton area charity that received $10,000 from the Ohio Harness Horseman’s Association.
At the start of the $11,000 conditioned pace, Intrepid Ivy (Marc St. Louis, Jr.) and Theheavyweightway (Trevor Smith) were engaged in a speed duel, opening up a five length lead on the rest of the field at the quarter in :26.1.
The heavyweight maintained control past the half in :55.4.
Manny (David Miller) was pulled down the backstretch and applied pressure at the three-quarters in 1:23.4.
When the leaders turned for home, Intrepid Ivy was ducked into the passing lane and was able to nip a closing Tankalicious (Luke Plano) by a head and Theheavyweightway by a neck.
The final time was 1:52.3.
Trainer Stacie Currie is the owner of the Always A Virgin gelding, who won for the 11th time this season.
In the night’s featured event, the $28,000 Open Handicapped pace, it was Surreal Ideal (Brett Miller) winning for the tenth straight time.
The start saw a four-horse scramble for early command. When the dust settled, it was Diego N (Trace Tetrick) on top and Better Is Nice (Tyler Smith) in the pocket through the opening panels of :26 and :54.3.
Surreal Ideal, who was assigned the outside post #9, was first-over for most of the mile and was just outside the leader at the three-quarters in 1:22.
Surreal Ideal used a :27.4 final quarter and gutted out a head victory over a late closing Gorgeous Big Guy (Chris Page).
Better Is Nice was a half-length back in third.
Vernon Beachy trains the seven-year-old gelded son of So Surreal for the 518 Group and Gitup Racing.
Driver Brett Miller recorded a driving triple on the-race card.
Racing returns to the Dayton oval on Tuesday (Dec. 9) with 4:00 p.m. post time. Free past performance pages are available at hollywooddaytonraceway.com.