Dayton, OH — Elegant Resolve used a gate-to-wire effort to score a 1:54 victory in the $18,000 conditioned claiming trot feature on Tuesday (Oct. 28) at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.
Luke Hanners and Elegant Resolve had a brief early scuffle with Lous Private Eye (Cameron McCown) but were able to clear the lead before the opening quarter in :27.4.
After Elegant Resolve rated a :57.1 half, General Grant (Lewayne Miller) started the outer flow with Beaueastel (Kayne Kauffman) and Outbound Train (Jeremy Smith) in tow.
Elegant Resolve cruised past the three-quarters in 1:25.3 and pulled away from the trip-saving effort of favorite Big Boys Edge (Sam Widger) by 2-1/2 lengths. Lous Private Eye was third and Outbound Train was fourth.
Elegant Resolve is owned by Thomas Ceraso Jr. and trained by Steve Carter.
The 4-year-old gelded son of Resolve picked up his ninth win of the season and the 10th for his career.
In the $10,000 conditioned claiming pace, the connections and backers of Spartan Hill (Marc St. Louis Jr.) were excited to see the 27-1 shot cross the finish line first but soon were disappointed when the Racing Hill colt was disqualified for interference.
When the field of eight was sent on its way, Fear Of The City (Tyler Smith) strung out the bettors’ choice, Makin Moonshine (Trevor Smith), in the opening quarter of :27.3.
Makin Moonshine cleared to the top at the half in :56.2 and three-quarters in 1:25.3.
As the field went down the backstretch, Chasing Romeo (Brett Miller) was first-up, providing cover for Spartan Hill. Cameron McCown started to edge High Splendor three-wide but was run into by Spartan Hill, ruining any shot he had for victory.
Spartan Hill continued on the outside and nailed Makin Moonshine at the line by a neck in 1:55.3. Makin Moonshine was elevated to first after the judges’ ruling.
Fear Of The City was elevated to second; McCardle’s Chat (Austin Hanners) rounded out the top three.
The sophomore homebred son of Dancin Yankee is campaigned by Bradley Delaney and trained by Deborah Swartz.
Trevor Smith recorded four wins on the evening. Cameron McCown had three trips to the winner’s circle.
Dayton Raceway returns to action on Wednesday (Oct. 29) with a 4 p.m. post time.