Atlanta sets track record; Kissin In The Sand defeats Shartin N at Dayton

Photos by Conrad Photo

Dayton, OH — 

Dayton Trotting Derby

Every superlative has been uttered about Atlanta over her illustrious career, and she lived up to all of them on Saturday (Oct. 3) winning the $175,000 Dayton Trotting Derby at Hollywood Dayton Raceway.

Dispatched at even money, the 5-year-old daughter of Chapter Seven established a new Dayton Raceway track record of 1:51 by coming from behind for driver Yannick Gingras to wear down Manchego (Dexter Dunn) and then hold off runner up Lindy The Great (Andy Miller) and show finisher Crystal Fashion (Jordan Stratton).

Lindy The Great left with alacrity to hit the first quarter beam in :27.3 before yielding to Manchego who coasted through middle fractions of :56 and 1:23.3 on the lead. Atlanta got away fourth, moved up to third on the outside at the half, second in the outer flow at the three-quarters, then on even terms with Manchego around the final turn.

At the top of the lane, Manchego broke in stride, leaving little doubt about the outcome.

Ron Burke trains Atlanta for Crawford Farms, Bradley Grant and Howard Taylor. She has won half of her lifetime starts (24 out of 48) and banked $2,450,203.

Dayton Pacing Derby

On a night when eight track records were either beaten or tied at Hollywood Dayton Raceway, Bettor’s Wish (Dexter Dunn) edged an outstanding field of North America’s top older pacers winning the seventh annual Dayton Pacing Derby in 1:49. Dancin Lou (Brian Sears) was lapped on the winner at the wire and Century Farroh (David Miller) was just beaten by a single length on Saturday (Oct. 3).

Bettor’s Wish was content to settle in fifth during the opening :26 panel, moved into the outer flow at the :54.2 halfway point, advanced to fourth by the 1:21.1 third timing beam, then scooted powerfully through the lane to win it.

Ohio racing fans watched in amazement as a pair of Buckeye-bred superstars turned the field into the stretch just a nose apart on the lead. But alas the quick fractions took their toll and when a quintet of nationally ranked Derby hopefuls paced final quarters under :28 seconds Sectionline Bigry (Tyler Smith) and Ocean Rock (Dan Noble) couldn’t fight them off.

Trainer Chris Ryder co-owns Bettor’s Wish with partners Bella Racing, Fair Island Farm and Bettor’s Wish Partners. The Derby triumph was just his third in eight 2020 starts, but boosted his bankroll to $2,213,033 with 21 victories in 39 races.
Handle for the Derby card was $594,093–the second highest of track history.

“Racing fans love to see great horses in full competitive fields,” said Director Of Racing Jason Bluhm. “Our race office and our track crew did a tremendous job on our marquee event and adding the eight $60,000 Buckeye Stallion Series championships on the supporting card proved to be a recipe for a great night.”

Dayton Distaff Derby

Trainer Nancy Takter thought long and hard about giving Kissin In The Sand a week off after a convincing 1:49 win in the Milton Stake at Woodbine Mohawk outside Toronto last Saturday. But a change in plans, possibly caused by a realization that Hatfield Stables of Ohio co-owns the magnificent mare with Marvin Katz of Toronto, resulted in an epic battle with Shartin N and another 1:49 score in the $175,000 Dayton Distaff Derby on Saturday night.

The 1:49 triumph equaled the Hollywood Dayton track record for older pacing mares, set three races earlier by Miss You N in a $25,000 Mares Open. Dexter Dunn was in the sulky behind both winning mares.

Shartin N (Tim Tetrick) set sail from the get go and cut all the fractions (:26.3, :54.2 and 1:21.2) before getting reeled in by Kissin In The Sand a few steps from the finish line. The winner was content to get away fourth and stayed in that spot until past the three-quarters marker, despite moving into the outer flow in second-over position before the halfway juncture. Caviart Ally (Andrew McCarthy) was third to cross the wire.

Kissin In The Sand was actually dispatched at odds of 4-5 over even money Shartin N and didn’t disappoint. The 5-year-old daughter of Somebeachsomewhere now sports 23 wins in 54 lifetime starts and boosted her career bounty to $1,470,594.