Martini Hanover survived a grueling first-over journey in the $15,000 Open Pace at Hollywood Dayton Raceway on Saturday (November 19) to win his first local feature race over Fancy Creek Elusiv (Eric Goodell) and Secret Threat (Kayne Kauffman) in 1:52.2.

Amazingly, especially in view of his remarkable consistency, the winner was being driven by his eighth different drivers in his last eight starts. Tyler Smith was the sulky-sitter on this occasion and elected to pull off the pylons and move up to challenge pacesetting Fancy Creek Elusiv three-quarters of a mile into the race. Progressing inches at a time, Martini Hanover crept closer and closer for over a half a mile before finally imposing his will midway down the stretch.

The six-year-old son of Dragon Again, owned by Robert Mondillo and trained by Jeff Hollis, won for the sixth time in 2016 and increased his seasonal bounty to $59,606. He is closing in on a half-million dollar career overall.

Martini Hanover was dispatched at odds of 5-1 and paid $13.20 to win. Combined with Fancy Creek Elusiv, the exacta kicked back a healthy $146.40.

(Dayton)