With a confident steer by Jeremy Smith, Cecil Hanover captured the $39,437 Open Handicap Trot on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.

When the field of six got underway, Cecil Hanover split rivals to take command early before Oh Look Magic (Chris Page) went to the top from the outside post six and led past the opening quarter in :28. Cecil Hanover was not content with the pocket trip and retook the lead well before the half-mile station in :57.3. Mohatu As (Tony Hall) was the first to make a move, providing cover for Prince Of Honor (Sam Widger) to three-quarters in 1:26.1.

Prince Of Honor made a break in stride around the far turn, allowing ample room for Oh Look Magic and Drink Up Drink Up to make late rallies, but Cecil Hanover held off Oh Look Magic by three-quarters of a length to win in 1:53.4. Drink Up Drink Up (Marvin Luna) finished third.

Cecil Hanover, a five-year-old gelded son of Chapter Seven-Columbia, won for the fifth time this season in 12 outings. Per Engblom conditions him for owners FAC Racing LLC and Yannick and Jaiden Gingras. The gelding is now 14-for-41 lifetime. He paid $5.20 to win.

In the $19,718 conditioned trot, the heavily favoured Gimpanzee Dancer (Jeremy Smith) rallied from well back to score a half-length win. The sophomore colt, who last started in the Breeders Crown, was seventh early while In The End (Page) cut the opening quarter in :28. Team Bravo (Charles Bolen) was left outside and was required to advance first-up to the half in :57. Gimpanzee Dancer, sitting third-over at the three-quarters in 1:25.3, went wide around the final turn, and he nipped leader In The End in 1:57.3. Roberts Hanover (Kayne Kauffman) was third. The winning sophomore son of Gimpanzee-Weslynn Dancer is co-owned by trainer Chris Beaver, breeder Derek Ivany, and Carolina Acosta. His win payoff was $2.10.

Jeremy Smith won four dashes on the day, tying Chris Page for the most by a driver on the 14-race card.

The next card at Dayton Raceway is set for Thursday, with a 14-race slate starting at 4 p.m.

(Dayton Raceway)