Fanatic (who was driven by Josh Sutton) and Refined (Brett Miller), a pair of four-year-old newcomers to the open trotting ranks at Hollywood Dayton Raceway, dominated a compact field of six on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 29).
Fanatic, who left the gate alertly and cut all the fractions, had a sizable open-lengths advantage at the head of the stretch, but just barely managed to hold off fast-closing Refined in 1:55.3 over a rain-soaked 'sloppy' track.
Fanatic and Refined, pictured at the wire.
Sutton got Fanatic to the top in a relatively soft :28 opening panel, then advanced unchallenged through a pair of :29 middle quarters. With an approximate five-length margin as the field turned for home, it looked as though the son of Cantab Hall had free sailing to the wire, but Refined had other ideas. With a furious closing rush, the daughter of Uncle Peter made it interesting at the finish by falling just a nose short. Cash Hit (Ricky Macomber Jr.) garnered the show dough.
Black Magic Racing LLC of Ohio owns Fanatic, who now sports ten career triumphs and $149,432 in earnings. Todd Luther trains the victor, who paid $7.40 to win. Coupled with Refined, the exactor returned $21.20.
(Hollywood Dayton Raceway)