Following a fourth-place finish in the $175,000 Dayton Derby on Oct. 2, Gold Digger King has reeled off three consecutive victories in Hollywood Dayton’s weekly Open I feature race. On Saturday (Nov. 6) the five-year-old Ohio-sired son of Pet Rock overcame an assigned outside post and a taxing :26.1 opening panel to score in Dayton's top class.
Driver Tyler Smith, who leads the local dash standings through 32 days of the current meet, sent Gold Digger King forward from the get-go, despite the fact the other eight combatants inside him also had their noses pushing the starting gate when it opened. Steadily advancing as others found seats in the first turn, Smith finally saw a pylon as his charge cleared to the front after the speedy first quarter. The Scott Mogan trainee, owned by Linda Van Camp, coasted through middle fractions of :54.1 and 1:22.4 while bracing for a cavalry charge of challengers in the stretch. A :29 closing quarter was just enough to hold off 15-1 My Hero Ron and 12-1 Granite and keep Gold Digger King’s current win streak intact.
Gold Digger King scored his 11th victory and enhanced his seasonal purse earnings to $214,165. His career scorecard now reads 23-7-7 in 66 starts, good for $470,677 in bounty.
A race earlier, the $24,000 Open II was captured by 18-1 Butter Bay Hanover in upset fashion. Owner Mary Megerle’s five-year-old son of Captaintreacherous secured a two-hole trip behind Sweet Troy before pouncing from the pocket at the head of the lane and wearing down the leader, who held on for second. Letitrock got up for third at the end of the 1:50.4 mile. Kayne Kauffman drove the winner.
Driver Brett Miller managed four wins on the program including the early daily double, which returned $23. The talented reinsman, who is approaching $100 million in career purse earnings, scored with Shady Deal (1:54, $10), Willzy (1:51.3, $6.20), Always A Vavoom (1:52.2, $10.20) and Intrepid Ivy (1:52.4, $18.40).
Racing at Hollywood Dayton Raceway resumes on Monday (Nov. 8) with a new 2 p.m. (EDT) post time. Post time remains 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through the end of the calendar year.
(Hollywood Dayton Raceway)