Smith steals opening day show

DAYTON, OH.- Hollywood Dayton Raceway ushered in its eighth harness racing season on Friday (Sept. 24) and driver Tyler Smith stole the show.

The talented 28-year-old reinsman captured six consecutive races in the middle of the card to grab the early lead in the dash standings. Dubbed “The Silver Bullet” by track announcer Barry Vicroy, Smith notched victories for six different trainers in the span of just under two hours.

Livin For A Dream started Tyler on his win streak, prevailing as the favorite ($3.40) for trainer Anette Lorentzon in a $10,000 tilt for non-winners of two distaff percers.

Next came a mild upset with the trotter Sweet Dynamite, who triumphed in a similar $10,000 event timed in 1:57.2 for trainer Paul Woolison. DP Spookytooth (1:53.4, $17.80) from the Bill Webb barn gave Smith his third score in a $12,000 non-winners of four fray for fillies and mares.

When Susie D (1:54.2, $8.40, Sherif Cunmulaj) won an $8000 conditioned trot it extended Smith’s consecutive win streak to four. Slymar’s Dragon ($9.40) kept the ball rolliing by copping a $10,000 conditioned mares pace in 1:52.1 for owner-trainer Mark Evers.

Smith’s completed the rare consecutive six pack behind D Gs Elsa ($3.40), who captured the $14,500 top conditioned mares pace in 1:53.3 for conditioner Chris McGuire.

Smith’s memorable streak was snapped in the next race when his favored Penpaperpaige could only muster a fourth place finish in the initial $25,000 Mares Open pace of the meet.

Maggie Rhee worked out a two-hole trip for driver Kayne Kauffman to score a 1:52.4 triumph. It was the ninth 2021 victory for the four-year-old daughter of Jereme’s Jet, raising her seasonal bankroll to $77,920 for trainer Tim Wilson and partners Norman Neff and Mark Eichberger. Longshot Paperback Thriller (Mitch Cushing) was second in the full field, while Talkaboutaqueen (Josh Sutton) got the show dough.

MAGGIE RHEE REPLAY

Drivers scoring double on the opening day program were Trevor Smith (Tyler’s younger brother) and Kayne Kauffman.

Racing resumes on Saturday at Hollywood Dayton with a new regular post time of 4:00 p.m. The powerful 14-race card features a $25,000 Open pace for the best males in the region; and a total of $196,000 in purses.

For full race results, click here.

by Gregg Keidel