Miller produces last gasp magic with Ponda Executive

Ponda Executive (Check Six) and David Miller survived a three-way photo for the win in the $19,000 starter allowance pace Thursday (Oct. 22) at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.

With a compact harness racing field of six, Courtship (Tyler Smith) split early rivals and received the first call.

Luke Hanners had Soho Santorini A out and moving early and led the compact field of six past the opening panel in :27.

National Tier (Brett Miller) came first up and raced in step with Courtship during the :56 half and 1:23.2 three-quarters.

Sitting last down the backstretch, David Miller pulled the earplugs on Ponda Executive and the Check Six stallion responded.

Ponda Executive came from the middle of the track and nipped a fellow closer Primary Driver (Jeremy Smith) and Courtship in the final strides to record the nose victory in 1:51.3.

PONDA EXECTUTIVE REPLAY

Ponda Executive has 28 career wins in 106 starts, with nearly $290,000 in earnings.

The six-year-old Indiana invader is trained by Dee Smith for Perry W. Smith.

In the featured $20,000 condition claiming pace, Hayhayit’sfrineigh and driver Kayne Kauffman used a late passing lane mover to pull a minor upset in 1:52.

Scratched down to a field of eight, Rainrock (David Miller) left from post 4 and was parked on the lead at the :26.3 opening quarter.

Hayhayit’sfrineigh protected his rail position and was able to sit in the pocket spot.

Ss Druidstone (Trevor Smith) was the first to move before the :54.3 half, providing cover for Johnny Up (Austin Hanners), and held a half-length lead at the three-quarters in 1:22.2.

With a bunched-up field in the final turn, Kauffman patiently waited for the passing lane to become available and sprinted home, 1 ¾ lengths ahead of a closing Sinatra Hanover (Brett Miller).

Rainrock held on for the show spot.

Hayhayit’sfrineigh picked up his second straight Dayton score and paid $20.60 to win.

The four-year-old Downbytheseaside gelding is co-owned by Dr. Jill Dentel and trainer James R. Ehrsam.

Dayton Raceway will return to action on Tuesday (Oct. 27) after taking a short break for the Breeders Crown events.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

By Jay Wolf for Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway