Dayton, OH — Surreal Ideal made a first over move and defeated a solid field of eight to take the $28,000 Open Handicap Pace on Saturday (Nov. 22) at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, securing his ninth straight victory.
Assigned the outside post eight, Surreal Ideal (Brett Miller) found himself in an early scuffle with Saulsbrook Victor (Brett MacDonald) and Joelsyy Hanover (Tyler Smith).
Saulsbrook Victor led Joelsyy Hanover past the opening quarter in :26.
Surreal Ideal was pulled off the rail from fourth before the half in :54.1 and was outside the leader at the three-quarters in 1:21.2.
The eventual winner battled a pesky Saulsbrook Victor to record a half-length win in 1:49.
Joelsyy Hanover was third and Timeisonmyside (Anthony MacDonald) was fourth.
Vernon Beachy trains the seven-year-old So Surreal gelding for the partnership of 518 Group and Gitup Racing.
Two races earlier, Rockabilly Rebel N (Luke Hanners) used a gate-to-wire effort to win the $22,000 conditioned pace in 1:51.
Bettor Than Spring (Brett MacDonald)’s early effort to grab the lead was rebuffed, forcing him into the pocket.
The opening quarter was in :26.1.
The bettor’s choice, Later Dudes (Chris Page) rushed up to pressure Rockabilly Rebel N at the half in :55.
Later Dudes put a head in front at the three-quarters in 1:22.3, but couldn’t clear and faded back through the field.
Rockabilly Rebel N won by a half-length.
Midnight Rocker (Brett Miller) was the best in a horse photo finish for second.
Hazardos (Sam Widger) was third.
Jason Irwin trains the A Rocknroll Dance for Robert Weinstein.
Racing returns to Hollywood Gaming on Tuesday (Nov. 25). Free past performance pages are available at www.hollywooddaytonraceway.com.