Dayton, OH – Sinatra Hanover and Tennessee Smooth used different tactics but both got the job done in winning the $18,000 condition claiming co-feature pace in Friday action (Oct. 24) at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.
Scratched down to a field of eight, the aged pacers were sent on their way with the heavy favorite Twenty Five (Brett Miller) getting the first call, leading the field past the opening quarter in :26.2.
The field paced in single file past the grandstand the first time. The lack of pressure allowed Twenty Five to coast past the half in :54.2.
Trainer/driver Pay Mellow, Jr. pulled Draw Off off of the rail and applied pressure on the leader past the three-quarters in 1:22.2.
When the field turned for home, Twenty Five received a two-pronged attack – Sinatra Hanover (Luke Hanners) in the passing lane and Draw Off on the outside.
Sinatra Hanover crossed the finish line a half-length ahead of Draw Off in 1:51.2. Twenty Five held off a closing Mctorious (Trevor Smith) for third.
Sinatra Hanover paid $16.60 to win.
The four-year-old gelded son of Bettor’s Delight is trained by Alicia Hanners for Lases Racing.
In the second division, Tennessee Smooth picked up his fifth win of the season and second straight at Dayton Raceway with an off the pace effort in 1:52.1.
Most of the field looked at leaving when the gates wings folded.
Vel Lickety Split (Cameron McCown) secured the lead, parking Who Dey Nation (Brett Miller) through the first three-quarters in :27, :55.2 and 1:23.1.
Bars And Notes (Austin Hanners) and Rockinpoppin (Tyler Smith) both made three-wide moves down the backstretch to get into contention.
Tennessee Smooth (Marvin Luna) found themselves in fourth at the three-quarters but found room around the final turn and was able to sprint past Vel Lickety Split by a half-length.
Rockinpoppin was third over a fading Who Dey Nation.
Zach Mogan conditions the Well Said gelding for the Rushcreek Stables.
Driver Sam Widger picked up a hat-trick on the night.
Dayton Raceway concludes its racing action for the week tomorrow (Oct. 25) with a 14-race card starting at 4:00 p,m.