Jimmy Freight collared late leader McWicked, reigning Horse of the Year, in deep stretch to win the $151,750 Dayton Pacing Derby in 1:48.3 on Friday night (September 27) for owner Adriano Sorella and trainer Scott Di Domenico.
Driver Scott Zeron worked out a perfect second-over trip off fast fractions of :26.1, :53.3 and 1:20.4 that were set by eventual third-place finisher Western Fame (Dan Noble), the 6-5 favourite. Jimmy Freight, Canada's 2018 Three-Year-Old Pacing Colt of the Year, paid $23.20 to win after sweeping by McWicked (Brian Sears), who had journeyed first-over and struck the front turning for home. The winning margin was 1-1/4 lengths.
“I was hoping I could follow McWicked in this race and it worked out perfect,” said Zeron in the winner’s circle. “Scott Di Domenico does a great job with this horse and I’m real happy for owner Adriano Sorella, who was here tonight.”
The four-year-old son of Sportswriter and Allamerican Summer notched his third win from 16 starts this year and 21st victory overall while lifting his earnings to $1.4 million.
Trainer Blake MacIntosh told Trot Insider that Canadian Pacing Derby champion Courtly Choice was scratched after the horse spiked a temperature mid-week.
Earlier on the program, Black Horse Racing's Manchego turned in a powerful performance to win the $171,250 Dayton Trotting Derby in 1:50.1 with Dexter Dunn aboard for trainer Nancy Johansson. The time of the mile lowered Emoticon Hanover's world record for four-year-old trotting mares on a five-eighths mile track by one-fifth of a second.
Entering the Derby off a three-week layoff, the Muscle Hill-Secret Magic mare defeated a talented field of older male trotters. She sped to the lead and showed her heels to the boys through :26.3, :54 and 1:22.2 intervals. Widening her lead with every stride, the career winner of more than $1.8 million increased her commanding margin to nine lengths at the culmination of her record-setting mile.
Sent off as the second choice on the toteboard, Manchego bested Fiftydallarbill (Tim Tetrick) and I Know My Chip (Jeremy Smith), and paid $5.80 to win.
(With files from Hollywood Dayton Raceway)