Dayton hosts Mares Open & Mini-Series Finals

DAYTON, OH – Friday night at Hollywood Dayton Raceway produced lots of excitement and many close finishes as the harness rawcing track presented a $36,000 Open Mares Pace and a trio of lucrative mini-series finals over a rain-soaked racing strip.

Brandon Bates guided Somebodyslilly to a second straight triumph against the best mares in the region.

Moving out of the three-hole and rushing to the lead just after the :27.1 first quarter proved to be a winning maneuver with the four-year-old daughter of Time To Roll.

After cruising past the half and three-quarter stations in :55.3 and 1:23.3, respectively, Bates was able to urge a :28 flat final panel out of Somebodyslilly to secure the victory. Rose Run Vision (Trevor Smith) gave a gallant effort in the stretch but ultimately had to settle for second. Favored Marloe Hanover, despite a two-hole trip, could do no better than third.

Eli Schwartz owns and trains the winner, who surpassed the $100,000 seasonal earnings barrier with the win. She paid $9.40 to her faithful.

SOMEBODYSLILLY REPLAY

The mini-series final for non-winners of six races that normally carry a $20,000 claiming tag was first up on the Friday docket. Rockinallnightlong (Tony Hall) topped Rockin Airway (Jeremy Smith) and Willzy (Miller) to take down the lion’s share of the $27,000 purse.  Brian Witt and trainer Dan Dubeansky own the four-year-old son of Pet Rock.

Francis Underwood (Trevor Smith) upset the non-winners of ten races mini-series finalists who usually carry $30,000 tags. Tuggin On My Heart (James Yoder) and Just A Start (Miller) were next across the line after the 1:53 mile.

Perry Smith owns and trains the four-year-old son of Time To Roll.

Western Sierra (Tyler Smith) was a mild upset winner in the final mini-series final for non-winners of $8,000 last four pacing mares.

Just as Smith predicted prior to the race, his mount collared 66-1 Sugar Dance (Brett Miller) in the final stride of the 1:52.4 tour.

The 68-1 Spee Dee Shark (Trevor Smith) also raced extremely well to finish third after a first-over journey. Luis Quevedo trains Western Sierra for owner John Barnard.

For full race results, click here.

From Hollywood Dayton Raceway