Gone Girl, passed around the final turn, battled back in the passing lane to win Hollywood Dayton’s $30,000 Mares Open Pace on Friday (Nov. 26).
Driver Jeremy Smith guided the seven-year-old daughter of Dragon Again to the early lead in :27.1 and maintained the advantage through a :56.2 halfway split. But favoured Penpaperpaige (Tyler Smith) applied heavy pressure down the backside and found herself almost a full length in front after the 1:23.4 third stanza.
With a clear lead entering the stretch and a challenge coming on the outside from Miss You N (Brett Miller), Penpaperpaige was likely shocked to see Gone Girl battling back in the passing lane. But battle back she did and ultimately gain a head advantage at the finish. Penpaperpaige held for second, a head better than show finisher Miss You N.
Gone Girl returned a hefty $39 to successful holders of $2 win tickets. A $2 exacta was worth $107.40 while winning 50-cent trifectas kicked back $137.90.
Trainer Mark Gillenwater owns Gone Girl, whose 2021 scorecard now reads 12-4-1 in 37 starts. Her seasonal earnings have soared to $125,050 with three Open class victories in her last five starts.
Racing resumes Saturday (Nov. 27) with a power-packed, 14-race program beginning at 4 p.m.
(Dayton)