Perfect trip gets 14-1 longshot home

It took some patience by harness racing driver Brandon Bates and the passing lane for Ideal’s Nicole (Net Ten Eom) to score a 14-1 upset at Hollywood Dayton Raceway Tuesday (Dec. 20).

The 6^th race condition/claiming for fillies and mares pace saw Chase You and driver Tony Hall go right to the early lead with Ideal’s Nicole grabbing the two-hole spot.

They race single file to the half mile in :56.3. As they started down the backstretch, Savemedasportspage (Brett Miller) started up first-over from fifth place and that flushed Uncut Gem (Jeremy Smith) first-over by the three-quarters in 1:24.3.

By the top of the stretch, it was a two-horse battle between Chase You and Uncut Gem until the passing lane opened for Ideal’s Nicole and she shot right by her rivals for Brandon Bates, winning by one and one-half lengths in 1:53.2. Uncut Gem was second with Savemedasportspage third.

IDEAL’S NICOLE REPLAY

It was the second straight win and eighth triumph of the season for the seven-year-old mare. She is trained by Hector Herrera for the Garcia Power, Inc. owners. She paid $31.60 to win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink