Rivals battle it out in Dayton Open

Dayton, Ohio – Two dominate harness racing competitors, Later Dudes (Sweet Lou) and Let It Ride N (Rock N Roll Heaven) returned to duke it out in the $23,000 Open Handicap Pace on Saturday (Nov. 25) at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.

Leaving from post six in a field of seven, driver Chris Page wasted no time in getting 8-5 Later Dudes to the front. While Later Dudes coasted through an opening quarter in :27.2, his foe, even money favorite Let It Ride N used a different tactic.

Assigned the outside post, Let It Ride N and driver Tony Hall ducted off the gate. As Later Dudes headed toward the :55.2 half, Let It Ride N marched first up from the back of the pack. Reaching the three-quarters pole in 1:22.2, the gap between the rivals quickly closed. The battle was on at the top of the stretch. The pair pulled away from the field together but it Later Dudes who came out on top in 1:50.3.

Reigning open champion Let It Ride N was second with 35-1 Modern Rock As (Tyler Smith) completing the trifecta.

LATER DUDES REPLAY

Later Dudes needs no introduction as a major open-level competitor at Dayton Raceway, Scioto Downs, Northfield Park, The Meadows, or Hoosier Park. The Ron Burke trainee has now hit the board 30 of 38 seasonal starts. With 16 victories, the 5-year-old gelding has banked $246,368 in 2022. Later Dudes is owned in partnership by Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi.

Live racing will resume Tuesday (Nov. 29) at Dayton Raceway with first post at 4:00PM. Free programs are always available online here. For more information on the facility and live racing season, visit here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Ashley Dailey, for the OHHA