An evening of premiere Grand Circuit racing quickly approaches Dayton Raceway as this coming Saturday, Sept. 30 the Dayton, Ohio oval will host four divisions of the Dayton Derby. All four divisions of the Dayton Derby will compete for a purse of $250,000.
Highlighting the Dayton Derby for male pacers is 2-1 morning line favourite Tattoo Artist for driver Louis Roy and trainer Dr. Ian Moore. The six-year-old son of Hes Watching has already enjoyed much success this season having won the likes of the Ewart Memorial at Scioto Downs and Canadian Pacing Derby at Woodbine Mohawk Park, bankrolling $794,472 in 2023. Tattoo Artist will leave from Post 5 where he will look to add the Dayton Pacing Derby to his illustrious 2023 season. Trainer Moore is not a stranger to the Dayton Pacing Derby having won the elusive race in 2015 with State Treasurer.
Second choice favourite Bythemissal clocks in at morning line odds of 7-2 for trainer Ron Burke and driver Yannick Gingras. The Ohio-bred son by Downbytheseaside is seven-for-10 in his 2023 season having already captured the Charna at Northfield Park, Aria Invitational at Yonkers Raceway and the Sam McKee Memorial at The Meadowlands.
Though having drawn a dreaded Post 9, morning line favourite Alrajah One at odds of 5-2, will look to add the Dayton Trotting Derby to his resume for trainer Ake Svanstedt and driver Dexter Dunn. Having only made one start thus far in 2023, Alrajah One made his season's debut a winning one capturing the Maple Leaf Trot in record fashion at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Svanstedt will also send out Southwind Tyrion whom he will pilot himself from Post 6 and Incommunicado (Andrew McCarthy) from Post 7.
Second choice favourite Its Academic comes into the Dayton Trotting Derby fresh off a win in the Caesars Trotting Classic at Hoosier Park for trainer Ron Burke and driver David Miller. Its Academic has already claimed victory in the Aldrich at Northfield Park, the John Cashman and Crawford Farms Trot at The Meadowlands and the Spirit Of Massachusetts at Plainridge Park. Its Academic will leave from Post 5 at morning line odds of 7-2.
On the femme fatale side, highlighting the Dayton Distaff Derby for mare pacers is morning line favourite Grace Hill from Post 9 at odds of 9-5. Coming into the Dayton Distaff Derby in fine form Grace Hill has already tasted victory in the Milton and Roses Are Red at Mohawk and the Cleopatra at Scioto Downs. The daughter of Always B Miki is trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. and will be driven by Doug McNair.
Second choice favourite at odds of 3-1 is Canadian invader Silver Label, who will leave from Post 2 for trainer Nick Gallucci and driver Scott Zeron. Silver Label thus far in her 2023 season has claimed victory in the Lady Liberty and Perfect Sting at The Meadowlands.
The Dayton Oaks Derby will see heavily favoured M Ms Dream as the 9-5 morning line choice from Post 9. The daughter of Swan For All who is seven-for-10 on the year comes into the Dayton Oaks Derby after winning her last four races in a row. Included in those four victories are the Robert Miecuna Memorial Trot at Yonkers Raceway and the Hambletonian Maturity. M Ms Dream will be driven by David Miller for trainer Ron Burke.
Jiggy Jog comes in as the second choice favourite at 3-1 and will leave from Post 7 for trainer Ake Svanstedt and driver Dexter Dunn. A winner of the Graduate and Six Pack at The Meadowlands, Jiggy Jog has bankrolled $631,453 thus far in 2023 and enters the Dayton Oaks Derby having won four of her last seven starts.
(With files from Dayton Raceway)