Dayton, Ohio – Winning Ticket (Triumphant Caviar) and harness racing driver Trevor Smith cashed in on Wednesday (Dec. 7) at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, taking the $25,000 Open Handicap Trot in 1:55.
After being assigned post eight in a field of ten, 8-5 favorite Winning Ticket left conservatively off the gate. As the group passed the opening quarter in :28, the 4-year-old gelding found live cover behind 5-1 Magic Night.
Winning Ticket stayed patient as the remaining fractions came in :56.4 and 1:26. Rounding out of the final turn, the gelding spotted his chance. Pulling three-wide, Winning Ticket easily blew by his competitors in 1:55, winning by one- and three-quarter lengths.
Magic Night (Jeremy Smith) finished second while Shine All The Way (Josh Sutton) completed the trifecta.
WINNING TICKET REPLAY
Just last year, Winning Ticket was named the 2021 3-Year-Old Colt Trotter of the Year in Ohio. Trained by Chris Beaver, the gelding has now amassed $549,510 in lifetime earnings. Tonight’s victory marked the seventeenth career win for Winning Ticket. He is owned in partnership by his conditioner as well as Steven Zeehandelar, Tim Homan, and Jim Burnett.
Live racing will resume Thursday (Dec. 8) at Dayton Raceway with first post at 4:00PM. Free programs are always available online. For more information on the facility and live racing season, visit here.
For complete race results, click here.
by Ashley Dailey, for the OHHA