GD Western Joe used come-from-behind tactics on Saturday night (Nov. 7) at Hollywood Dayton Raceway to capture the $14,000 Open Pace in a snappy 1:49.4 clocking.
Odds-on favourite Our Majordan A could not clear to the lead until well past the :26.4 opening panel, then faced a stern challenge from Grantmeawish from the :54 halfway juncture to past the 1:21.4 three-quarters station and into the stretch. GD Western Joe moved into second-over position in the compact field around the final bend then sprinted to the front halfway down the lane.
GD Western Joe, a member of the Burke Brigade, entered the Open off a fifth-place finish in last week's special $100,000 claiming race at Harrah's Hoosier Park and looked worth every penny of that tag. He now sports six 2020 wins and $93,045 in seasonal earnings. The five-year-old son of Real Desire, driven by Chris Page, has 33 wins in 91 tries and a $533,996 lifetime bounty.
(Hollywood Dayton Raceway)