Dayton, OH – Niko Man defeated stablemate Yo Beth D and two others in a wild four-way photo finish in Wednesday’s (Nov. 12) $28,000 Open Trot at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.
Four horses were hustled off the wings of the gate for the early lead, but it was Refined (Tyler Smith) was on the outside and on the lead past the opening panel in :27.2.
The field of six were in single file past the grandstands for the first time and the half mile was trotted in :56.1.
Easter Jack (Brett Miller) was pulled to the outside, providing live cover for Niko Man (Jeremy Smith) and Yo Beth D (Trevor Smith).
They trotted two-by-two past the three quarters in 1:24.2.
When the field turned for the wire, all six were in contention.
Easter Jack put a head in front, but it was Niko Man who split rivals and fended off Yo Beth D by a nose in 1:53.3.
Easter Jack was third by a neck and Mohatu As (Chris Page) was a length back in fourth.
The five-year-old gelded son of Cassis picked up his fifth win of the season.
Niko Man is owned by the partnership of Russell Beeman and Jack Freeman and is trained by Ken Rucker.
The first race of the after was a conditioned trot going for a purse of $22,000.
A trio battled for the first call, Jusmakinyalook (Jordan Ross) out sprinted Dame Good Time (Chris Page), who closed a hole on Angel Nation (Jeremy Smith), forcing the Archangel gelding to press on for the lead.
The quarter was stopped in :27.4 and the half in :56.2.
Dame Good Time pulled out of the three-hole and pressured the leader past the three quarters in 1:25.
Jusmakinyalook dove into the passing lane and Dame Good Time came on the outside, but it was Angel Nation over the later by head in 1:55.1.
A fast-closing Sayinwhatimthinkin (Trevor Smith) nipped Jusmakinyalook at the wire for third.
It was the 13th win of the season for the eight-year-old, who is trained by Antonia Storer for the Friendship Stable.
Jeremy Smith finished the evening with four driving wins. Chris Page recorded a driving triple.
A 14-race card is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Thursday (Nov. 13).