DAYTON, OH. – Martini Hanover survived a grueling first-over journey in the $15,000 Open Pace at Hollywood Dayton Raceway on Saturday (Nov. 19) to win his first local harness racing feature race over Fancy Creek Elusiv (Eric Goodell) and Secret Threat (Kayne Kauffman) in 1:52.2.

Amazingly, especially in view of his remarkable consistency, the winner was being driven by his eighth different driver in his last eight starts.

Tyler Smith was the sulky-sitter on this occasion and elected to pull off the pylons and move up to challenge pacesetting Fancy Creek Elusiv three-quarters of a mile into the race.

Progressing inches at a time, Martini Hanover crept closer and closer for over a half a mile before finally imposing his will midway down the stretch.

The 6-year-old son of Dragon Again, owned by Robert Mondillo and trained by Jeff Hollis, won for the sixth time in 2016 and increased his seasonal bounty to $59,606. He is closing in on a half-million dollar career overall.

Martini Hanover was dispatched at odds of 5-1 and paid $13.20 to win. Combined with Fancy Creek Elusiv, the exacta kicked back a healthy $146.40.

Gregg Keidel