Stablemates Fear Danie and Trsshining Star battled to the wire in the $42,254 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace, with Fear Danie emerging victorious by the slimmest of margins in a lifetime-best 1:51.1 on Thursday, Oct. 29 at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.
Leaving from post two with Brett Miller in the sulky, Fear Danie settled fourth in the early stages as Dragon By The Sea (Tyler Smith) paced the quarter in :26.1 and remained on the lead through middle fractions of :55 and 1:22.4. Trsshining Star (Chris Page) used a first-up trip, pressuring the leader and providing cover for Fear Danie. As the field rounded the final turn, Fear Danie angled three-wide off cover and surged past her fellow Heather France pupil in the final strides to secure the nose victory. Tarshish (Jeremy Smith) closed well in the passing lane to finish third, 1-1/2 lengths behind the winner.
The winning four-year-old daughter of Fear The Dragon-Rockin Serena is owned by Eldo Leonelli. Fear Danie is now eight-for-28 lifetime. She paid $7.20 to win.
In the $28,169 conditioned claiming pace for fillies and mares, Harmonist and Marvin Luna sprung a minor upset using a second-over trip. Harmonist was content to sit in fourth, watching an early three-across battle between Eyes Up (Cameron McCown), Racin Like A Star (Kayne Kauffman) and Sadhaka N (Luke Hanners). Sadhaka N wrestled away the lead nearing the quarter in :27 and dictated the pace through middle fractions of :55.3 and 1:23.1. Racin Like A Star towed Harmonist down the backstretch, and Luna sent the winner three-wide in the final bend. Harmonist went to the front late and held off a passing-lane bid from Annabarry (Tyler Smith) by a scant nose in 1:53. Sadhaka N held gamely for third, a half-length behind the winner.
The victory was the eighth lifetime in 19 starts for Harmonist, who is trained by Henry Graber Jr. for owners Michael Robinson, Steve Stewart, Frank Baldachino and Indiana Stables LLC. Backers of the sophomore filly by Papi Rob Hanover-Mother Of Art were rewarded with a $17.80 win ticket.
Drivers Chris Page and Tyler Smith both picked up three wins on the 14-race card. Marvin Luna had a driving double.
Racing action continues at Dayton Raceway on Friday with another 14-race card.
(Dayton Raceway)