Pass The Vape smokes the Open trotters

DAYTON, OH. – Pass The Vape (Trevor Smith) pulled a mild harness racing upset in Hollywood Dayton's $18,400 Open Trot on Thursday, dashing through the snowflakes for a 1:55 triumph over favored Lady's Dude (Josh Sutton), who finished a length behind.

 

Sutton rushed even-money favorite Lady's Dude to the lead quickly with strong second choice Pass The Vape finding the pocket.

 

The two heavyweight trotters remained one-two through the first half of the mile, clocked in a moderate :57.4.

 

It wasn't until near the third timing station that Pass The Vape was flushed from the pocket when an outer tier lead by It's A Herbie (LeWayne Miller) began to form.

 

The eventual winner was lapped on the frontrunner when the third beam was tripped in 1:26.3, then overtook his main adversary during the closing :28.2 panel.

 

Lionel Watiker owns the 25-time winning son of Dejarmbro, whose earnings have eclipsed $460,000.

 

 

The 5-year-old homebred is trained by Watiker's son Derek.

 

Racing at Dayton resumes Friday (Dec. 18) and Saturday (Dec. 19) with the new 4:00 post time in place due to Ohio's 10 p.m. curfew due to the Covid crisis.