Surreal Ideal overcame the outside post and used a first-over effort to take the $39,437 Horses and Geldings Open Handicap Pace on Saturday, Nov. 8 at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway for his seventh consecutive victory.
Four horses looked for the lead at the start, but it was Pj Lou (Luke Hanners) who protected his rail position and took control before the quarter in :26.2. Chris Page was flushed out of the three-hole with Racing Rebel and cleared to the lead before the half in :54.2. Handicapped with post eight, Surreal Ideal (Brett Miller) found himself first-over, providing live cover for Timeisonmyside (Anthony MacDonald) to three-quarters in 1:22.1. Surreal Ideal put a head in front of Racing Rebel around the final turn and drew off from Timeisonmyside in the lane to secure the 1-3/4-length win in 1:50. Joelsyy Hanover (Tyler Smith) rallied from last to grab the show spot.
Surreal Ideal, a seven-year-old So Surreal-Jkmusicofthenite gelding, is trained by Vernon Beachy for the partnership of 518 Group LLC and Gitup Racing. He has now won seven straight Open-level events across four different tracks and is eight-for-23 on the year. The win was his 38th lifetime in 125 outings. He paid $2.80 to win.
In the $33,803 Horses and Geldings Open II Pace, Rose Run Zane showed why he was the bettors' choice with his 1:50.4 victory.
Lotsa Knock Us (Tyler Smith) blasted off the wings and took command early before Austin Hanners sent the eventual winner to the front approaching the quarter in :27.2. Rose Run Zane was in control to the half in :55.4 and three-quarters in 1:23.4, facing St Lads Criminal (Mike Micallef) en route to the third station as that rival made an urgent brush down the backstretch to get into contention. Rose Run Zane dispatched St Lads Criminal in the stretch, then held off a passing-lane effort by Lotsa Knock Us to record the one-length win. Lotsa Knock Us was second over St Lads Criminal.
John and Leann Saunders own Rose Run Zane, a four-year-old gelded son of Racing Hill-Mrs American Pie. Dan Venier trains the winner, who is now 13-for-36 lifetime. The win price was $3.80.
Dayton Raceway will hold its next card on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
(Dayton Raceway)