No Foolin April went gate-to-wire under the guidance of Jeremy Smith to score a narrow win in the $39,437 Fillies and Mares Open Pace on Thursday, Oct. 23 at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.
When the field of five was sent on its way, No Foolin April grabbed the lead and paced an opening quarter of :26.4. She was unhurried to the half in :56.2 but faced the attack of Shadows Dancers (Trevor Smith), who went first-up to apply pressure to the leader to three-quarters in 1:23.3 with Odds On Cinamon (Austin Hanners) on her cover. The outer flow fizzled out on the final turn, allowing Dragon By The Sea (Tyler Smith) to slide out of the pocket and unleash her final challenge, but No Foolin April held her off by a neck to prevail in 1:51.4. Odds On Cinamon took third over Hey Hey Mama (Luke Hanners).
No Foolin April, a four-year-old daughter of Nob Hill High-Princess Baby Ella, has won three straight Open events for owner-trainer Adam Short, who bred the mare. She is now 14-for-48 lifetime with $513,906 in earnings. She paid $4 to win as she took her seventh victory of 2025 in 21 tries.
In the $33,803 Fillies and Mares Open II Pace, Foxy Hill went first-up to secure her second seasonal win in 1:52.4.
A quintet of pacers tried for the early lead, but favourite Trick Of The Light (Chris Page) came away in command and cut the mile with :26.4, :56.1 and 1:24.1 fractions. Mossdale Lottee N (Jeremy Smith) flushed Luke Hanners and Foxy Hill out of the four-hole on the second turn, and the pair encroached on the leader down the backstretch. Foxy Hill then took the lead around the final bend and came home in :28.2 to secure the three-quarter-length win over A Girl That Twirls (Kayne Kauffman), who took second up the passing lane. Trick Of The Light completed the ticket.
The winner, a four-year-old Captaintreacherous-My Little Delight mare, is campaigned by Odds On Racing and conditioned by Virgil Morgan Jr. She has won twice in 11 outings this season and is now 10-for-42 lifetime with a bankroll of $175,992. The win payout was $7.80.
Drivers Jeremy Smith and Chris Page continued their battle for the leading driver honours. They both had triples on the 14-race card, with Page now holding a 52-51 edge in the standings.
Dayton Raceway returns to action on Friday, Oct. 24 with a 14-race card starting at 4 p.m.
(Dayton Raceway)