Bulldog Hanover headlines Dayton Derbies
Columbus, OH — Bulldog Hanover rode second over cover and had to come three-wide off the final turn to win the $250,000 Dayton Pacing Derby in 1:50.1.
There was an early skirmish for the lead, with American Courage (Matt Kakaley) making the front through a quick first quarter of :26.2. Workin Ona Mystery (Miller) was flushed out by Bulldog Hanover (Dunn), coming to the half in :54.4.
Moving up the backstretch, the outer flow pressured the leader, and past the three-quarter pole, Bulldog Hanover tipped three-wide after being parked the mile and drew off to win easily in the stretch.
Test Of Faith was able to assert her dominance in the $250,000 Dayton Distaff Derby at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway on Saturday (Oct. 1).
As the gate opened, Amazing Dream N (Yannick Gingras) and Gia’s Surreal (Aaron Merriman) would battle through the first eighth, but Merriman was able to guide Gia’s Surreal to the lead at the quarter in :27.2.
After a testing quarter, Gingras tipped outside and re-took the lead heading to the three-eighths pole. Heavy favorite Test Of Faith (David Miller) felt the leaders getting a breather and began her first over bid. The 2021 Horse of the Year battled with leaders past three-quarters in 1:24.1.
Amazing Dream N led the field into the stretch with Gingras urging her on, but Test Of Faith was confidently handled under a hand drive by Miller to win in 1:51.2 for trainer Brett Pelling.
After getting the perfect trip, When Dovescry (David Miller) used the passing lane to win the $250,000 Dayton Oaks.
Atlanta (Yannick Gingras) led through most of the mile setting soft fractions on the lead. Bella Bellini (Dexter Dunn) made her move after a half in :57.1 and was the first foe to challenge Atlanta. Atlanta led the field past three-quarters in 1:25.4, and as Gingras asked her to respond, he dealt with intense pressure from Bella Bellini on the outside.
Through the stretch, When Doescry, Atlanta, and Bella Bellini would throw down, but When Dovescry was able to turn the perfect trip into a victory, winning by three-quarters of a length in 1:54 for trainer Brett Pelling.
Back Of The Neck repeated in the $250,000 Dayton Trotting Derby on Saturday (Oct. 1) at Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway. Jujubee (Andrew McCarthy) got to the lead quickly when the gate sprung. As in the Dayton Oaks, McCarthy got a soft half tripping the beam in :56.3. Tim Tetrick sent Back Of The Neck to the outside at the half and dueled with Jujubee past three-quarters in 1:24.2.
Back Of The Neck and Jujubee battled down the stretch, but Back Of The Neck was able to prevail by a half-length in 1:53.1. Rattle My Cage (Ake Svanstedt) finished a strong second after getting a perfect trip.
