A stellar field assembled Wednesday (Dec. 22) at Hollywood Dayton Raceway to chase a $28,000 purse in the weekly Open Trot. Four current or former local track record holders for their age, sex and gait lined up behind the starting gate, but it wasn’t one of them who lowered a track standard. It was a newcomer, Pass The Vape (Trevor Smith), who scored in 1:52.2 to establish a new track record for older geldings.
Pass The Vape enjoyed a pocket ride as the top trotters cruised through fractions of :27, :55.3 and 1:23.2, then angled off the pylons to confront pacesetter Whata Swan (Tyler Smith) as the finish line approached. In the final stride, younger brother Trevor Smith urged Pass The Vape to a nose advantage over older brother Tyler Smith and Whata Swan. Refined (Mitch Cushing), the off time favourite, was third, followed by Mission Accepted (Josh Sutton) and Jailhouse Sam (Sandy Beatty). Pick Me Upper (Tony Hall), assigned an outside post position after winning two consecutive Opens, was parked much of the mile and finished sixth in the eight-horse field.
The new track standard of 1:52.2 knocked a tick off the old record of 1:52.3, established several years ago by Penn. Pass The Vape returned $20.40 for his record-setting performance.
A mini-series final for non-winners of $2,250 in their last four starts resulted in a thrilling race with all 10 finalists within four lengths at the finish line. Tru Blu Hypnotic (Hall) edged out Mystical Charger (Tyler Smith) and Hoosier Celebrity (Sutton) in 1:54.4. The winner is owned by trainer Jack McCall and paid his mutual backers a handsome $24 reward.
Racing at Dayton resumes on Thursday (Dec. 23) at 4 p.m. Following a three-day Christmas respite, the final four programs of the Hollywood Dayton meet will be presented Monday through Thursday (Dec. 27-30) with earlier 2 p.m. post times.
(Hollywood Dayton Raceway)