Driver Kayne Kauffman had the hot hand Friday night (September 25) as Hollywood Dayton Raceway resumed its second season of live racing after a brief five-day respite in deference to Little Brown Jug week at the Delaware, Ohio fairgrounds.
With the four-bagger, Kauffman jumped into a tie for the top spot in the dash standings with Jeremy Smith and Chris Page, who called off on Friday. Each has nine triumphs in the first six nights of the 75-night meet. Greg Grismore and Randy Tharps are tied for the fourth spot with eight wins apiece.
Kauffman's first win came in the $10,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace when he guided Platinum Spirit to an upset win over Igottafeelinfran (Jack Dailey) and Lease Ness Monster (Jeremy Smith). Despite going off at 11-1 odds, Kauffman made an aggressive first-over move before the half and the gutsy four-year-old Tell All mare sustained her forward momentum all the way to the finish, clocked in 1:52.1. Brent Hopper, James Davis and Kyle Gray own the winner, who is trained by Ben Davis.
Upfront Miss Major captured a $6,500 claiming event to give the 37-year-old red-and-white clad driver his second score, this triumph in 1:53.4 over Blanca Raya (Greg Grismore) and Janinne (Shawn Barker II). Kauffman's wife Natalie co-owns the Art Major mare with Marty Wogoman. The win mutuel was a handsome $9.20 on the morning line favourite.
Artistic Fusion gave Kauffman his third win, scoring in 1:52.2 over Gia Diamond (Randy Tharps) and Always Ya Baby (Jeremy Smith) in a $6,000 distaff condition race. The reinsman also trains the Artistic Fella mare owned by Mike Foote, who returned $6.80 to win.
Endeavors Dot Com accompanied Kauffman to the winner's circle next as she captured an $8,000 claiming event in 1:52.2 over CCs Munchkin (Josh Sutton) and Rosetta Star (Shawn Barker II). Walter Haynes Jr. trains the daughter of Keystone Endeavor for Tracy Livingston and Samuel Samples. She returned $7.00 as the second choice on the toteboard.
(Dayton Raceway)