Trainer Walter Haynes Jr. swept the co-featured $28,571 conditioned claiming paces with Currys Flurry and Rockinpoppin as part of a training triple on Thursday, Oct. 15 at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.
In the first division, Currys Flurry found himself between rivals early and cleared to the top before the :26.2 opening quarter for driver Jeremy Smith. Unpressured, Currys Flurry was able to get past the half in :55.1 and three-quarters in 1:23. The pocket-sitting Ss Druidstone (Trevor Smith) popped off the rail around the final turn but could not get closer than a length from the winner. Currys Flurry crossed the line in 1:51.4, ahead of Ss Druidstone by 1-1/4 lengths. The photo couldn’t separate Shadow Cove (Tyler Smith) and Sinatra Hanover (Austin Hanners) for third.
The winning four-year-old son of Papi Rob Hanover-Alll Cool Hanover has won three of his last four starts for owner Bob Carsey. Currys Flurry is now nine-for-62 lifetime. He paid $2.80 to win.
Three races later, Rockinpoppin took the faster of the two divisions in 1:51.
When the field of eight was sent on its way, Sky Dog (Marvin Luna) received the first call, putting the eventual winner in the pocket for a few strides. Jeremy Smith had Rockinpoppin on top at the quarter in :26, and with little pressure, the leader was able to relax through the half in :54.2 and three-quarters in 1:22.1. David Miller pulled Rainrock to the outside and challenged down the backstretch. Using a :28.4 final panel, Rockinpoppin fended off a two-pronged attack in the lane – Sky Dog on the inside and Rainrock on the outside. Rockinpoppin was three-quarters of a length clear of Rainrock and another length ahead of Sky Dog at the wire.
Rockinpoppin, a five-year-old gelded son of Pet Rock-Noseitall, is owned by the partnership of Fought Racing, Brian Carsey and Light Strides LLC. He has won 11 of 80 career outings. The win price was $2.10.
Caviart Eden ($4.20), also driven by Jeremy Smith, completed the Haynes triple. The conditioner went three-for-three on the 14-race card and is 83-for-493 on the season. He is tied for second in the Dayton standings with Ron Burke on nine wins, four back of leader Virgil Morgan Jr.
Jeremy Smith had a driving grand slam with four wins. Chris Page won three races, and Trevor Smith had a double.
Dayton Raceway will take a couple of days off for the Breeders Crown eliminations at Scioto Downs. Racing action returns on Monday, Oct. 19.
(With files from Dayton Raceway; photo of Rockinpoppin winning on Oct. 15)