Dayton: Super Chapter, Warrawee Michelle rule in Troting Derby, Oaks Derby

Super Chapter and driver Dexter Dunn returned to action for the first time since capturing the MGM Yonkers International Trot in September on Saturday night with an epic world record-equaling performance, winning the Grade 2 $250,000 Dayton Trotting Derby in 1:50 2/5 at Dayton Raceway.

Super Chapter left, along with a host of horses at the outset, but waited as Up Your Deo sprinted to the front and seated Emoticon Legacy midway on the opening bend. Dun stayed on the outside and hustled Super Chapter, a 4-year-old son of Chapter Seven, to the front in a 27 second flat first quarter.

Super Chapter relaxed after that, hitting the half in 55 2/5 but had company when Scott Zeron pulled Emoticon Legacy at the half and made a strong bid, racing head-to-head with Super Chapter through an accelerated three-quarters that was reached in 1:22 4/5. Antognoni S and Yannick Gingras attempted to stay on Emoticon Legacy's cover but couldn't coming into the stretch as early leader Up Your Deo also struggled.

Emoticon Legacy made a race of it into the stretch, but Dunn let the Marcus Melander-trained Super Chapter loose, and he sprinted home in 27 3/5 to win comfortably. Emoticon Legacy, also a world champion on a five-eighths-mile track, settled for second with Lexus Kody finishing third. Antognoni S and Gimpanzee Dancer completed the top five.

Owned by Jeffrey Snyder, Arthur Pronti and breeder Hanover Shoe Farms, Super Chapter was a winner for the seventh time in nine tries in 2026 and returned $3.20 as the public's choice.

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In the $250,000 Grade 1 Dayton Oaks Derby, Warrawee Michelle and driver-trainer Ake Svanstedt cruised to an impressive victory, their second straight major stakes in Ohio with a 1:52 2/5 mile. The 5-year-old daughter of Walner, sent off as the even-money choice, defeated 60-1 shot Yo Beth D with R Dutchess third in the mile.

Yannick Gingras and Woman Of Passion blasted to the front at the outset and set a hot 26 4/5 opening quarter with Svanstedt on the outside with Warrawee Michelle but content on taking his time in moving to the lead. Warrawee Michelle cleared to the pylons with three-eighths of the mile elapsed, and Svanstedt successfully shut down the half, hitting that mark in 56 2/5. When Yo Tillie came first-over at the half, Warrawee Michelle had an answer and kept control of the action through a 1:24 2/5 clocking at three-quarters.

R Dutchess and Tim Tetrick tried to make a race of it coming wide off cover on the final turn, but her rally stalled in mid-stretch and Yo Beth D was able to rally successfully for the place spot. Woman Of Passion finished fourth.

Warrawee Michelle is owned by Ake Svanstedt Inc., Santandrea Inc., and Young Guns. The win put Warrawee Michelle’s career bankroll above $1.8 million. Warrawee Michelle paid $4.20 to win.