Dayton, OH – The sports’ best aged performers invaded Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway for the $1 million (div.) Dayton Derbies on Saturday (Sept. 27).
The hottest trotter in the sport, Lexus Kody gave one of the most memorable and impressive performance in the Dayton Trotting Derby.
Leaving from the rail, Lexus Kody (Yannick Gingras) found himself in a tough position when half of the field was sent for the early lead.
It was Up Your Deo (Ake Svanstedt) with the lead during the first half-mile :26.4 and :54.3.
Southwind Coors (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.) used a first-over move to grab control at the three-quarters in 1:23.1, where Lexus Kody was shuffled to last.
Gingras sent the seven-year-old four wide around the final turn and went from worst to first to score the three-quarter length win in 1:51.4.
Aetos Kronos S (Dexter Dunn) was second and Chapercraz (Chris Page) was third.
“I was screwed from the word ‘go,’ said Gingras. “It wasn’t a good drive. All the credit goes to him…I hope we can keep this going for a few more weeks.”
Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Phillip Cullura own the Archangel gelding.
The $250,000 Dayton Distaff Derby was another showdown between Twin B Joe Fresh (Dexter Dunn) and Sylvia Hanover (Tim Tetrick).
Twin B Joe Fresh benefited from an inside post draw (post four) while her rival was saddled with post eight.
The 2024 Jugette champion, Soft Shot (David Miller) grabbed the lead in the opening quarter in :26.1.
Sylvia Hanover tried for the lead but never saw a pylon and was parked for the entire mile.
Dunn sent the defending champion to the lead before the half in :54.2 and three-quarters in 1:21.1.
The double millionaire used a :27.3 final quarter to stop the timer in a track record 1:48.4.
Sylvia Hanover hung on for second, 4-1/4 lengths behind the winner, and Seaside Diva (Chris Page) was third.
“She is incredible,” said Dunn. “We have been on a special run.”
“She felt fantastic tonight. They are two champion mares, but we had the advantage tonight drawing inside of her (Sylvia Hanover).”
The five-year-old mare is owned by trainer Chris Ryder, Dexter Dunn, Peter Trebotica & Barry Spak.
In the $250,000 Dayton Oaks Derby, M-M’s Dream (Yannick Gingras) used a perfect pocket trip in winning the aged mare trot in a stakes record 1:51.3.
The Ohio bred Jurassic Hattie (Brett Miller) grabbed the early lead and led the field of eight past the opening three-quarters in :26.2, :54.4 and 1:22.
Gingras sat patiently in the pocket and sent the Ron Burke trainee into the passing lane to record the one length win.
Jurassic Hattie held on for second and Elista Hanover (David Miller) rallied for third.
“I was struggling at the half, she just kept on going,” said Gingras. “She’s all class.”
M-M’s Dream is owned by Hillside Stables and Frank Baldachino.
The night wrapped up with the glamour division, the open male pacers.
Ervin Hanover received an aggressive steer from Louis Roy and held off a late charge by Captain Albano (Todd McCarthy) to win in 1:47.2.
Captain Albano and Ervin Hanover exchanged the lead in the opening splits of :26.3 and :53.2.
Ervin Hanover led past the three-quarters in 1:20.
Captain Albano made one last surge, but came up a neck short.
The winning time was the fastest mile ever paced at the Dayton, Ohio oval.
Ervin Hanover has won back-to-back races in the Buckeye State – he won the $250,000 Jim Ewart Memorial at Eldorado Scioto Downs on September 6.
The Captaintreacherous stallion is owned by Pollock Racing and conditioned by David Menary.
Thanks to the hard work of trackman Jim Shelton and his crew eleven track records were broken or equaled tonight.
Dayton Raceway also enjoyed their third highest handle of $911,861 during the 14-race card.
Live racing returns to Dayton Raceway on Tuesday (Sept. 30) with a 4:00 p.m. post time.