Dancin Yankee, arguably the best Ohio-sired horse of all time, burst past the $2-million earnings plateau winning the $17,000 Open Pace at Hollywood Dayton Raceway on Saturday (Nov. 9) in 1:51.
The 11-year-old son of Yankee Cruiser was the oldest horse in the stellar field of eight and was saddled with the outside post, yet raced gamely as ever to score his 11th victory of 2019 and 80th of his lengthy and storied career. With the win, Dancin Yankee's lifetime bounty now stands at $2,003,907.
"He's the best blue collar horse I've ever driven," driver Chris Page said. "He shows up every single week and gives you everything he's got every time out."
Parked three wide for much of the first quarter, Dancin Yankee didn't clear to the front until after passing the first quarter in :26.3. While fronting the field, he sped past the half in :54.4 and three-quarters in 1:22.1 while heavily pressured by Fools Desire, who ultimately finished fourth. With a :28.4 final quarter on a cool 38-degree evening, Dancin Yankee held off Granite and Tookadiveoffdipper, both of whom came calling in the stretch before falling a half-length short.
Dancin Yankee races for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Melissa Patterson and Larry Karr in recent years. Ron Burke manages the $2 million winner, second trainer Jason Irwin often harnesses him when racing in Ohio, and longtime caretaker Carlee Comer is particularly proud of her prize pupil's accomplishments.
(Hollywood Dayton Raceway)