A gruelling first-over trip didn't deter favoured Manhattan Beach from wearing down longshot Dreamfair Mesa in mid-stretch to capture the featured $18,500 Open Pace at Hollywood Dayton Raceway on Saturday night.
Driver Trace Tetrick floated the four-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere from the gate, content to ride fifth through the opening quarter in :27.2. Just past that point, however, he sent the Walter Haynes, Jr. trainee on his way. Manhattan Beach obliged by moving up to third on the outside at the :56.1 halfway point, then second and pressuring the leader at the 1:23.4 third split. Although still outside around the final bend, Tetrick's charge had enough pace left in the lane to finally pass pacesetter Dreamfair Mesa (Josh Sutton) and hold off late-charging Dalhousie Dave (Kyle Ater) in 1:51.4.
As the odds-on choice, Manhattan Beach paid $3.60.
John McGill and Brian Carsey own the winner, who has faced national free-for-all stars in Grand Circuit stakes much of the season. He now sports ten lifetime wins and a career bankroll of $658,974.
(Hollywood Dayton)