Sports best to compete in $175,000 Dayton Derbies

A trio of star-studded $175,000 Dayton Derbies will highlight the marquee program of the 2021 harness racing season at Hollywood Dayton Raceway this Saturday night (Oct. 2).

The undercard will feature eight $75,000 Ohio Sires Stakes Consolation Championship races for Buckeye-bred juveniles divided by age, sex and gait. A pair of Open events and a single overnight offering complete the 14-race card which will begin at a special 6:00 p.m. post time.

The initial Grand Circuit contest will be the $175,000 Dayton Distaff Derby in race seven.  Lyons Sentinel, the top ranked horse in the current Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll listing the best horses in North America, has been installed the 6-5 favorite for driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Jim King Jr.

The 4-year-old daughter of Captaintreacherous enters the fray on a six race win streak for owner Threelyonsracing Stable of Brantford, Ontario.  The talented lass’ $1,753.544 in purse earnings tops the field of nine which has amassed 176 victories in their illustrious careers.

Rocknificent (Scott Zeron, 3-1), Drama Act (Chris Page, 7-2) and Soho Burning Love A (TBA, 9-2) are expected to pose the most serious threat to Lyons Sentinel’s win streak and first place poll standing.

Two races later a full field of the continent’s top trotters will parade to post for the $175,000 Dayton Trotting Derby.  Forbidden Trade, fresh off a narrow victory in the Caesars Trotting Classic at Hoosier Park, is the likely favorite (5-2 morning line) for driver Bob McClure, trainer Luc Blais and the Determination Stable of Montreal.

Among the challengers in the field with 173 aggregate triumphs and nearly $12 million in earnings will be When Dovescry (David Miller, 3-1), Manchego (Dexter Dunn, 7-2), Ready For Moni (Andrew McCarthy, 9-2), Guardian Angel AS (Brian Sears, 6-1) and Back Of The Neck (Ake Svanstedt, 8-1).

The finest veteran pacers in the world will take centerstage for the eleventh race, the $175,000 Dayton Derby.  This Is The Plan (Yannick Gingras, 5-2) was given the narrowest of morning line nods in the field which sports 173 total wins and over $7 million in winnings.

The favorite hails from the powerful Ron Burke barn and is owned by Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, J&T Silva-Purnel&Libby and Larry Karr.

Ocean Rock (Dan Noble, 3-1) or Catch The Fire (Scott Zeron, 7-2) could also potentially go off as the betting favorite based on their recent fine form.  Other stalwarts in the field are Nicholas Beach (Joe Bongiorno, 9-2), Tattoo Artist (Tetrick, 6-1), Gold Digger King (D. Miller, 8-1), Little Rocket Man (John DeLong, 10-1), Let It Ride (Dunn, 12-1) and Chief Mate (Trevor Smith, 15-1).

“It is our pleasure at Hollywood Dayton to treat our fans to the best that harness racing has to offer in our annual Dayton Derby signature events,” exclaimed Director of Racing Jason Bluhm.  “The horses in these three races have 522 wins and have earned almost $25 million.  It should be quite a show!”

Limited trackside dining tables are available by reservation only (937-235-7592).

To view the full program click here

From Hollywood Dayton Raceway