Elegant Resolve went gate-to-wire to win the $25,352 conditioned claiming trot feature on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.

Elegant Resolve had a brief early scuffle with Lous Private Eye (Cameron McCown) but was able to clear to the lead before completing the opening quarter in :27.4. No pressure was applied to the leader, so Luke Hanners was able to get him a second-quarter breather to the half in :57.1. General Grant (LeWayne Miller) then started the outer flow with Beaueastel (Kayne Kauffman) and Outbound Train (Jeremy Smith) in tow.

Elegant Resolve cruised past the three-quarters in 1:25.3, then pulled away from the ground-saving favourite Big Boys Edge (Sam Widger) and pocket-sitter Lous Private Eye to win by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:54. Big Boys Edge was second, followed by Lous Private Eye.

Elegant Resolve is owned by Thomas Ceraso Jr. and trained by Steve Carter. The four-year-old son of Resolve-Elegant Serenity improved to 10-for-52 lifetime while upping his bankroll to $275,650. He paid $9.20 to win.

In the $14,085 conditioned claiming pace, the connections and backers of Spartan Hill (Marc St. Louis Jr.) were excited to see the 26-1 shot cross the finish line first, but soon were disappointed when the colt was disqualified for interference and Makin Moonshine was promoted to victory. 

Fear Of The City (Tyler Smith) strung out the bettors' choice, Makin Moonshine (Trevor Smith), early but Makin Moonshine cleared to the top before the half and led through three-quarters. As the field went down the backstretch, Chasing Romeo (Brett Miller) was first-up, providing cover for Spartan Hill. Cameron McCown started to edge High Splendor three-wide, but was run into by Spartan Hill and lost all chance at victory. Spartan Hill continued on the outside and nailed Makin Moonshine at the line by a neck in 1:55.3 but was placed seventh. Makin Moonshine was elevated to first after the judges' ruling. Fear Of The City was third-placed-second and Mccardles Chat (Austin Hanners) moved up to third. 

The winner, a sophomore homebred son of Dancin Yankee-Luna Hanover, is trained by Deborah Swartz for Bradley Delaney.

Trevor Smith recorded four driving wins on the evening. McCown had three trips to the winner’s circle.

Dayton Raceway will host its next card on Wednesday with a 4 p.m. post time.

(Dayton Raceway)