Dp Freedoms Chrome capitalized on a front-end trip to capture the $41,667 Open Handicap Trot over a sloppy surface on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway.

In a truncated field of seven, Hilltop Sonar (Chris Page) left alertly but was quickly rebuffed by the rail-sitting Bargain (Luke Hanners). Instead of taking a spot along the rail, Dp Freedoms Chrome marched to the top for Jeremy Smith and passed the opening quarter in :27.2. The five-year-old For You Almostfree-Wannabee Loved stallion enjoyed a second-quarter breather to the half in :57.2, with pressure coming from a first-up effort by favoured Woman Of Passion (David Miller).

Smith gave Dp Freedoms Chrome his cue, and thanks to a :27.3 sprint to three-quarters in 1:25, was able to open up some daylight on his foes. Dp Freedoms Chrome marched clear by 3-1/2 lengths down the lane and tripped the timer in 1:54.2. Bargain narrowly edged out Reggianito (Hugh Beatty Jr.) for second in a five-across finish.

A model of consistency, Dp Freedoms Chrome won for the 35th time in 71 career efforts, raising his earnings to $646,462. The Iowa-bred is trained by Wayne Oke for Aimes Racing. He paid $8.60 to win.

Earlier in the night, Smith picked up a pair of wins using first-up efforts with Mehelpingyou (1:54.2, $12.60) and a maiden-breaking Pictures Of Lily (1:57, $8). In the second-race condition claiming pace, Smith had Shes As Well winging it on the front end and cruised to a 1:53.4 victory. Thanks to his grand slam, Smith vaulted to the top of the Dayton Raceway drivers' standings with 48 wins, one ahead of Luke Hanners. Chris Page is third with 44 victories.

Racing continues at Dayton Raceway at 4 p.m. on Thursday with a 14-race card.

(Dayton Raceway)