Dayton, OH – Despite temperatures in the mid-20s, driver Chris Page was red-hot with seven wins on the 14-race card Tuesday (Dec. 2) at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.
In the $18,000 condition claiming trot, Hilltop Sonar used a patient Page steer and recorded his eighth career win.
The second choice, Big Boy’s Edge (Austin Hanners), broke stride before the start and allowed Hilltop Sonar to get the first call.
Page took back into second and allowed the outside Massive Desire (Brett Miller) lead the field past the opening quarter in :27.4
A lack of movement in the second quarter allowed the leader to get a :29.4 breather.
Page had a tight hold on Hilltop Sonar and let the gelding loose past the three-quarters in 1:25.2.
Massive Desire and Hilltop Sonar matched strides in the lane and the latter wore down the leader and scored a 3/4-length win in 1:54.
Aunt Lilly (Luke Hanners) took third from Helpspaythebills (Tyler Smith) in a photo finish.
Hilltop Sonar is the sophomore son of What The Hill and is owned by the partnership of Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Beasty and Rich Lombardo Racing.
Trainer Ron Burke had five winners on the evening, all driven by Page.
The night’s biggest upset was delivered by Naked Barry and Kayne Kauffman in a $10,000 conditioned claiming pace.
Kauffman timed the gate with Naked Barry and protected his inside position with the early lead
Naked Barry was the best of the three-wide scramble at the quarter in :27.3.
Prince Of Terror (David Miller) was forced to advance from three-wide and took the lead before the half in :56.2.
The bettor’s choice, Lather Up Athens (Austin Hanners) was pressuring the leader at the three-quarters in 1:25.
Kauffman had the opportunity to wait for the passing lane, but elected to move Naked Barry to the outside and won his second career race in a lifetime best 1:54.4.
Prince Of Terror was 1-3/4 lengths back in second and a fast-closing Granite Ridge Lady (Brett Miller) was third.
Naked Barry is co-owned by the Golden Goose Stables and trainer Mike Polhamus.
The Western Terror gelding paid $58.40 to win.
Racing resumes Wednesday (Dec. 3) at Dayton Raceway with a 4 p.m. first post. Free past performance programs are available at hollywooddaytonraceway.com.