from Hollywood Dayton Raceway

Dayton, OH — A grueling first-over trip didn’t deter favored Manhattan Beach from wearing down longshot Dreamfair Mesa in midstretch to capture the featured $18,500 Open Pace at Hollywood Dayton Raceway on Saturday night (Nov. 25).

Holton photo

Well-traveled Manhattan Beach holds offDreamfair Mesa to capture the Open Pace at Hollywood Dayton in 1:51.4 onSaturday night.

Driver Trace Tetrick floated the 4-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere from the gate, content to ride fifth through the opening quarter in :27.2. Just past that point, however, he sent the Walter Haynes Jr. trainee on his way. Manhattan Beach obliged by moving up to third on the outside at the :56.1 halfway point, then second and pressuring the leader at the 1:23.4 third split.

Although still outside around the final bend, Tetrick’s charge had enough pace left in the lane to finally pass pacesetter Dreamfair Mesa (Josh Sutton) and hold off late-charging Dalhousie Dave (Kyle Ater) in 1:51.4.

As the odds-on choice, Manhattan Beach paid $3.60. Combined with 23-1 Dreamfair Mesa the exacta kicked back $55.60; while the $2 trifecta including 6-1 Dalhousie Dave was worth $220.80.

John McGill and Brian Carsey own the winner, who has faced national free-for-all stars in Grand Circuit stakes much of the season. He now sports 10 lifetime wins and a career bankroll of $658,974.