Dayton, OH – Hey Trixey and driver Luke Hanners took advantage of an off-performance by the heavy favorite, Big Boys Don’t Cry (Tyler Smith), and a break by second choice Twofiftychamp (Trevor Smith) to score a surprising victory in the $15,500 conditioned claiming trot Monday night (Oct. 19) at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.
When the field of 10 left the gate, Hey Trixey, Quick Cash (Cam McCown) and Good Luck Mark (Austin Hanners) were the quickest away. Hey Trixey seized command midway through the first turn and reached the opening quarter in :27.3.
Dublin’s Breanna (Kayne Kauffman) was the first challenger, launching a first-over bid and drawing within a nose of the leader at the half-mile marker in :58.
Hey Trixey and Dublin’s Breanna raced stride-for-stride down the backstretch and remained locked together through three-quarters in 1:26.2.
Quick Cash was forced three-wide around the final turn, while Good Luck Mark saved ground along the pylons before diving into the passing lane in the stretch.
At the wire, 11-1 shot Hey Trixey held off 26-1 Good Luck Mark by 1½ lengths to win in 1:55.3. Papa Nordin (Brett Miller), dismissed at 62-1, captured third in a three-horse photo finish, helping produce a $0.50 trifecta payoff of $1,276.90.
A four-year-old mare by Trixton, Hey Trixey is trained by Jason Brewer for First Up Racing Stable.
In the $16,500 conditioned pace, driver Brett Miller recorded one of his three victories on the program behind Rock Son, who established a new lifetime mark of 1:51.
Longshot Wagon Day (Kayne Kauffman), sent off at 117-1, blasted away from post eight and led through an opening quarter in :26.1.
Miller quickly reclaimed the lead with Rock Son and guided the sophomore pacer through middle fractions of :55 and 1:22.3.
A :28.2 final quarter was more than enough as Rock Son drew away to a 3½-length victory over the fast-closing Vel See You Later (Trevor Smith), with Contour (Cam McCown) finishing third.
The son of Pet Rock is co-owned by trainer Charles Neff and Greg Mackanos. Rock Son was just out of the money in the $300,000 Ohio Sire Stakes Final on Sept. 12 and has now earned $92,668 in his career.
Miller added victories with Sectionline Jr. (1:54.3) and Commence (1:55.1) to complete a driving triple. Cam McCown also enjoyed a three-win evening, scoring behind Classy Miki (1:54), Vel Im Good (1:53.3) and Vel Big Shocker (1:53.1).
Racing continues at Dayton Raceway Tuesday through Thursday this week, with post time each day scheduled for 4 p.m.