Penn made it “two straight in the Buckeye state,” to quote Hollywood Dayton Raceway announcer Barry Vicroy, closing impressively on Thursday night (October 12) to cop the $18,500 Open Trot in back-to-back weeks.

Utilising a totally different strategy, driver Josh Sutton dropped in third in the early going after realising a couple others were intent on the front end in a speedy :26.3 opening panel. Last week’s gate-to-wire winner then sat patiently along the pylons as Cantab Lindy (Chris Page) sped to the half in :56 and the three-quarter marker in 1:24.2, with Another Breath (Randy Tharps) pressuring the leader on the outside and Banker Volo (Dan Noble) headstrong in the pocket.

When second-over Dnieper (Brady Galliers) faded as the horses began rounding the final bend, Sutton got room to angle Penn out and swing three-wide midway through the turn. The seven-year-old Master Glide gelding trotted home in :28 and change to pick off the leaders one at a time before prevailing by half a length in 1:53.2. As co-favourite, Penn returned $4.80 to win; coupled with runner-up Another Breath, the exacta paid $37.20. Longshot show finisher Angels Ransom (Ken Holliday) boosted the $2 trifecta payoff to $333.80.

(Dayton Raceway)