When Dovescry upsets champion mares in $250,000 Dayton Oaks Derby

Atlanta may have been made the race favorite barely over Bella Bellini but it was When Dovescry (Muscle Hill) who beat out both of the top mares to win the Dayton Oaks Derby on Saturday (Oct. 1) at Hollywood Dayton Raceway.

The 8th race saw Atlanta and driver Yannick Gingras leave from the gate and take command with When Dovescry (David Miller) getting the pocket trip to the first quarter in a tepid :28.4. They continued to race that way past the half mile in :57.1 and that was when the action heated up.

Bella Bellini and driver Dexter Dunn were flushed first-over by Refined and she came after Atlanta, pushing it to the three quarters in 1:25.4. Meanwhile When Dovescry and Miller were content with their two-hole trip.

As they started down the stretch, Atlanta was barely holding off Bella Bellini as When Dovescry and Miller went to the passing lane, and they were able to pass them both by and win by one length in 1:54. Atlanta held for second place with Bella Bellini third.

WHEN DOVESCRY REPLAY

It was just the second win of the year for When Dovescry. She is trained by Brett Pelling for owner John Lengacher and paid $7.00 to win. She was bred by William Weaver, III.

To read about all the action and see all the replays from the $3.4 million card at Dayton, click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink