Dayton, OH — Going out in style on the final day of the 2022 meet, Robert Again scorched a career-best 1:49 mile to win Friday’s (Dec. 30) $24,000 Open Pace at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.

Driven by Josh Sutton, Robert Again left alertly from post five. The 4-year-old gelded son of Tellitlikeitis allowed even-money favorite Later Dudes to grab the lead and set fractions in :26.3, :54.3 and 1:21.2. Once the Lightning Lane arrived, Robert Again launched toward the finish and collared pacesetter Later Dudes (Chris Page), who held on for second. Brookview Bullet (Jordan Ross) completed the trifecta.

Robert Again wins the final $24,000 Open Pace of the 2022 Dayton season in 1:49.

The victory marked the eighth of the year for Robert Again, whom Adam Short conditions for owner Frederick Linz. The gelding has now hit the board 16 of 23 seasonal starts. Despite not racing at age two, Robert Again has bankrolled $170,769 in lifetime earnings.

After 70 race days, the 2022 live meet concluded as Dayton Raceway’s most successful. Not only did the southwest Ohio track host the richest card in the state’s racing history, but overall handle increased by $3.4 million in comparison to 2021. Four of the top five single-card handles occurred during this year’s meet. The all-time daily handle record was broken on Oct. 1, when $1.2 million was wagered on the Hollywood Dayton program.

“We had an excellent meet,” noted director of racing Jason Bluhm. “We have horsemen to thank for that. Nearly every card was at capacity. Quality horses and full boxes only help handle.”

Bluhm went on to credit race secretary Gregg Keidel and the entire Dayton Raceway team for their hard work this season.

Awards were also presented to both the meet’s leading driver and trainer.

Jeremy Smith was named the 2022 leading driver. In less than 730 starts, Smith tallied 149 wins and earned more than $1.2 million in purses. Alongside being in the money 49 percent of his starts, the 42-year-old driver maintained a .331 UDR. To add to his impressive stats, Smith earned the title with an impressive 40-win lead over his competitors.

Jeremy Smith (left) accepts the 2022 leading driver title from Dayton director of racing Jason Bluhm. Conrad photos.

The title of 2022 leading trainer was awarded to Jason Brewer. After sending 282 starters behind the gate, Brewer scored 45 wins, 47 second-place finishes and 47 third-place finishes. His horses earned over $546,000 in purses. Brewer’s father, Jeff, captured the training title in two previous years, making them the first father-son duo to take the honor.

Racing at Dayton will resume in September 2023 after the Little Brown Jug . For more information on the facility and live racing season, visit the Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway website.