Doctor Carter cops Open

DAYTON, OH. – Doctor Carter (Mike Micallef) pulled a mild harness racing upset in Hollywood Dayton's featured $18,500 Open Pace on Saturday night (Sept. 23), nipping Secret Threat (Josh Sutton), who was last week's winner, in 1:50.4. The winning 6-year-old son of Total Truth equaled his lifetime best effort capturing his 36th career victory. Owned by Andrea and Tommy Householder and trained by Pat Karcher, Doctor Carter's total bankroll now has reached $420,000.

Micallef shot directly to the lead when the starting gate sprung open, then yielded to Let's Drink On It (Travis Seekman) as the pair sped past the opening quarter beam in :26.2. Content to sit the pocket through fractions of :53.4 and 1:22, Doctor Carter and Micallef were patient as Secret Threat pressured Let's Drink On It from just past the half until midstretch. As Let's Drink On It began to yield and Secret Threat finally nosed in front, Doctor Carter found a seam and scooted past the pacesetters in the final strides.

Dispatched at 4-1 odds, Doctor Carter returned $10.60 to his faithful. Coupled with Secret Threat, the exacta returned $46.20. Longshot My Hero Ron (Tyler Smith, 25-1) grabbed the show dough which triggered a $269.85 payoff for a 50-cent trifecta ticket.

Excitement is building for next Friday night (Sept. 29) when the Grand Circuit stops at Hollywood Dayton Raceway. Top horses and drivers are expected from around North America for the $160,000 (est.) Dayton Trotting Derby and the $150,000 (est.) Dayton Pacing Derby. Trotter Homicide Hunter and pacer All Bets Off, both impressive winners in Grand Circuit stakes at Hoosier Park on Friday (Sept. 22) are likely entrants who will be challenged by the best older harness horses in training. Post time will be 6:15 p.m.

Gregg Keidel