Sinatra Hanover and Tennessee Smooth used different tactics but both got the job done in winning the co-featured $25,352 condition claiming paces in Friday action on Oct. 24 at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.
Scratched down to a field of eight, the first featured field of pacers was sent on the way with heavy favourite Twenty Five and Brett Miller getting the first call, leading the way past the opening quarter in :26.2. With the field single file past the grandstand the first time, the lack of pressure allowed Twenty Five to coast past the half in :54.2. Trainer/driver Pay Melloy Jr. later pulled Draw Off off of the rail and applied pressure to the leader past the three-quarters in 1:22.2. When the field turned for home, Twenty Five received a two-pronged attack with pocket-sitter Sinatra Hanover and Luke Hanners in the passing lane and Draw Off on the outside. Sinatra Hanover ultimately crossed the finish line a half-length ahead of Draw Off in 1:51.2. Twenty Five held off a closing Mctorious and Trevor Smith for third.
A former Ontario Sires Stakes winner, Sinatra Hanover earned his first Dayton victory while recording his eighth career win. The four-year-old gelded son of Bettors Delight-Sawyer is currently campaigned by trainer Alicia Hanners and owner Lases Racing of Sheridan, Michigan. He paid $16.60 to win as the 7-1 third choice.
Tennessee Smooth picked up his second straight victory at Dayton with an off-the-pace effort in 1:52.1. Most of the field looked at leaving when the wings of the starting gate folded. Vel Lickety Split and Cameron McCown secured the lead, parking Who Dey Nation and Brett Miller through the first three-quarters in :27, :55.2 and 1:23.1. Bars And Notes, driven by Austin Hanners, and Rockinpoppin, with Tyler Smith, both made three-wide moves down the backstretch to get into contention. Tennessee Smooth and Marvin Luna found themselves in fourth at the three-quarters but found room around the final turn and was able to sprint past Vel Lickety Split by a half-length. Rockinpoppin was third over a fading Who Dey Nation.
Tennessee Smooth, a five-year-old Well Said-Corona Again gelding with 22 career wins, is trained by Zach Mogan for Rushcreek Stables of Rushsylvania, Ohio. He paid $9.20 to win as the 7-2 third choice.
Dayton concludes its racing action for the week on Saturday, Oct. 25, with a 14-race card starting at 4 p.m.
(With files from Dayton Raceway)