Sure Did received a perfect second-over trip from Marvin Luna and secured a half-length victory in the $25,352 conditioned claiming feature trot on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.

A trio of trotters were sent to vie for the lead off the gate, and Southernsunshine (Brett Miller) cleared to the front at the quarter in :27.1 with Helpspaythebills (Tyler Smith) in the pocket. As the field went by the stands the first time, favourite Fruit Snacker (Kevin Lambright) made the first move, giving the eventual winner lively cover through the half in :57.3 and three-quarters in 1:25.4. It came down to Fruit Snacker and Sure Did in the lane, with the latter crossing the line a half-length in front in 1:55.2 over a surface rated good. Helpspaythebills held on for third.

Sure Did, a sophomore son of You Know You Do-Challax Hanover, is trained by Walter Haynes Jr. for the partnership of Matthew Miller and John McGill. He is now seven-for-24 lifetime. His backers received $8.80 to win.

In the afternoon’s first race, a $21,127 conditioned pace, leading driver Chris Page gave Boomerang a pocket trip, and the three-year-old responded with a solid 1:50.3 effort.

Be Ready To Rock (Luke Hanners) was fastest as the wings folded, putting Boomerang in the pocket, and he led a single-file group of six through the opening panels of :27 and :55.3. As Be Ready To Rock reached the three-quarters in 1:23, Page sent Boomerang after the leader, and the gelding sprinted past him and pulled away by 3-1/4 lengths via a :27.2 final quarter. Be Ready To Rock finished second, followed by Threemargaritashot (Austin Hanners).

The winning son of Downbytheseaside-Amherst was making his debut for owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Knox Services Inc., and James Zito. The gelding, who won the Kentucky Proud series earlier this year, is eight-for-32 in his career. He paid $2.40 to win.

Page finished the 14-race card with four wins.

Racing returns to Dayton Raceway on Wednesday, Nov. 26.

(Dayton Raceway; photo of Sure Did winning on Aug. 15, 2024)