Dayton, OH — Fanatic (Josh Sutton) and Refined (Brett Miller), a pair of 4-year-old newcomers to the open trotting ranks at Hollywood Dayton Raceway, dominated a compact field of six on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 29).

Fanatic (inside) just held off Refined to capture Hollywood Dayton’s featured $14,000 Open Trot on Thursday. Conrad Photo.

Fanatic, who left the gate alertly and cut all the fractions, had a sizeable open-length advantage at the head of the stretch, but just barely managed to hold off the fast-closing Refined in 1:55.3 over a rain-soaked sloppy track.

Sutton got Fanatic to the top in a relatively soft :28 opening panel, then advanced unchallenged through a pair of :29 middle quarters. With approximately five lengths of clearance on his rivals as the field turned for home, it looked like the son of Cantab Hall had free sailing to the wire, but Refined had other ideas. With a furious closing rush, the daughter of Uncle Peter made it interesting at the finish — but came up just a nose short. Cash Hit (Ricky Macomber Jr.) finished third.

Black Magic Racing LLC of Ohio owns Fanatic, who now sports 10 career triumphs and $149,432 in earnings. Todd Luther trains the winner, who paid $7.40 and led an exacta which returned $21.20.