A thrilling finish in Dayton Raceway's Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace ended with Penpaperpaige claiming victory in the $25,000 event on Friday, Oct. 6.
Starting from post five, Penpaperpaige retreated off the car to situate herself in sixth while Shesonebadmomma fronted the field to a quarter in 28.1. Favourite Alexa Skye then made a pocket-pulling move to front the field to the half-mile in :56.3 and three-quarters in 1:24.2. After a second-over bid, Penpaperpaige swooped four-wide as the field fanned into the stretch to win by a head over Shesonebadmomma and Alexa Skye in a mile time of 1:52.2, with a :27.3 last quarter.
Penpaperpaige is trained by Jeff Smith and was driven to victory by Smith's son Tyler, who co-owns the six-year-old Pet Rock mare with his daughter Maevyn and Bet The House LLC. Penpaperpaige went over $600,000 in career earnings and now has 22 victories lifetime.
Penpaperpaige paid $6.60 to win as the 2-1 second choice.
Caviar Gold was the winner of the $25,000 Open Handicap Trot.
Leaving from post three in a field scratched down to five, Caviar Gold and driver Aaron Merriman was quick off the car and made every pole a winning one through fractions of :28.1, :57.3, 1:24.4 and 1:53.2. Dayson followed 1-3/4 lengths behind in second and Pioneer As was third.
Caviar Gold is trained by Chris Beaver, who bred and co-owns the four-year-old Triumphant Caviar gelding with Bill Manes, Leo Fleming and Steven Zeehandelar. The victory was Caviar Gold's 11th lifetime and pushed his career earnings over $421,000.
Caviar Gold was the odds-on favourite and paid $4.20 to win.
Anette Lorentzon enjoyed a training triple on the 14-race card, teaming up with driver Tony Hall for wins with Cleopatra As ($20.80) in 1:56 in the 10th race, Ferretti ($5.60) in 1:55.2 in the 12th race and Iwont Backdown As ($4.20) in 1:54 in the 13th race.
Brett Miller lead the drivers with four Friday wins. Sam Widger and Tyler Smith had driving doubles.
(With files from Dayton Raceway)