Dayton, OH – Tr’sshining Star and Brett Miller used a first-up effort to take the featured $20,000 conditioned claiming pace Wednesday (Oct. 21) at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.
With a full field of 10, an early battle for the lead was expected as Katie’s On Fire (Trevor Smith) was three-wide past the opening panel in :27. The bettor’s choice, Sadhaka N (Luke Hanners) retook the lead before the half in :55.2 and was instantly pressured by Tr’sshining Star. The pair raced in unison for the last half-mile.
Tr’sshining Star used a :28.2 final quarter to cross the line 1-1/4 lengths ahead of Sadhaka N in 1:51.3. Racin Like a Star (Kayne Kauffman) and Reallyrukiddingme (Austin Hanners) rounded out the top four.
The 6-year-old Huntsville mare is trained by Heather France for Todd’s Auto. She now has six wins in 26 seasonal starts.
Driver Chris Page recorded a triple on the card, including a 7-1/2 length romp with Flo Jo in the nightcap.
Sitting fifth after the opening half, Flo Jo used an overland trip to grab control at the three-quarters and never looked back in the lifetime best effort in 1:51.4. The 6-year-old Keystone Velocity mare came into the race off two straight $750 Open Pace wins at the Lincoln County Fair in Fayetteville, TN. She is owned and trained by Texan Dale Witcher II.
Page’s other two victories came with Chief Mate (1:53) and Street Beats (1:52.4).
The favorites had a rough day, as four of the 14 top choices made the winner’s circle. The average win ticket paid $26.
The Dayton Raceway week ends Thursday with a 4 p.m. first post.