Mild upset in $30,000 Open Pace

DAYTON, OH – In his fourth try in the Hollywood Dayton Open I Pace, Prince Of Tides broke through and secured his first harness racing victory Saturday, (Nov.27).

Driver Tony Hall, sulky-sitting for trainer Randy Bendis, shot directly to the front of the field when starter Mike Woebkenberg swung the gates open, seating all others with a :27 opening quarter clocking. No serious challenges came until the stretch as the 5-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere cruised past the half in :55.1 and the three-quarters in 1:22.2.

Nuclear Dragon (Dan Noble) got the pocket ride throughout while Ginger Tree Marty (Jason Beattie), Butter Bay Hanover (Kayne Kauffman) and favorite Sectionline Bigry (Brett Miller) formed an outer flow from midway down the backstretch on the five-eighths oval to the head of the stretch.

Prince Of Tides held sway the length of the stretch as a host of hopefuls fanned out behind him. In the end, Prince Of Tides held off One Corona To Go (Josh Sutton), who used the inside passing lane to close quickly. Nuclear Dragon finished third; while Jersey Jim (Chris Page) and Ginger Tree Marty dead-heated for fourth.

PRINCE OF TIDES REPLAY

A co-featured $24,000 Open II Pace was captured by Loutenant (Tyler Smith), who topped American Mercury (Mitch Cushing) and Modern Rock AS (Noble) in 1:51.4.

Bobbie Jo Brewer conditions the 5-year-old son of Sweet Lou for the Never Give Up Racing Stable of Cincinnati.

Racing resumes on Monday at Hollywood Dayton Raceway with a 2:00 p.m. post time.

For full race results, click here.

From Hollywood Dayton Raceway