On Saturday (Nov. 27), in his fourth try in the Hollywood Dayton Open I Pace, Prince Of Tides broke through and secured his first victory at the top class.
Driver Tony Hall, sulky-sitting for trainer Randy Bendis, shot directly to the front of the field when starter Mike Woebkenberg swung the gates open, seating all others with a :27 opening quarter clocking. No serious challenges came until the stretch as the five-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere cruised past the half in :55.1 and the three-quarters in 1:22.2.
Nuclear Dragon got the pocket ride throughout while Ginger Tree Marty, Butter Bay Hanover and favourite Sectionline Bigry formed an outer flow from midway down the backstretch on the five-eighths oval to the head of the stretch. Prince Of Tides held sway the length of the stretch as a host of hopefuls fanned out behind him. In the end, Prince Of Tides held off One Corona To Go, who used the inside passing lane to close quickly. Nuclear Dragon finished third while Jersey Jim and Ginger Tree Marty dead-heated for fourth.
A co-featured $24,000 Open II Pace was captured by Loutenant, who topped American Mercury and Modern Rock AS in 1:51.4. Bobbie Jo Brewer conditions the five-year-old son of Sweet Lou for the Never Give Up Racing Stable of Cincinnati and Tyler Smith sat in the bike.
Racing resumes on Monday (Nov. 29) at Hollywood Dayton Raceway with a 2:00 p.m. (EST) post time.
(Hollywood Dayton Raceway)