Dayton: Twin B Joe Fresh steamrolls rivals in Distaff Derby

A swift move right before the quarter pole by Dexter Dunn proved to be the difference, as Twin B Joe Fresh left rival Sylvia Hanover parked the mile and romped in the Grade 2 $250,000 Dayton Distaff Derby at Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway on Saturday night. The defending Horse of the Year paced to a 1:48 4/5 mile while capturing her fifth victory in eight starts this season.

Soft Shot and David Miller blasted to the front into the first turn with Twin B Joe Fresh settling in the pocket for Dunn. Tim Tetrick fired Sylvia Hanover from the outside to take a shot at the lead, but as the mare was approaching the front, Dunn squeezed out Twin B Joe Fresh and secured the lead before the 26 1/5 opening quarter. Tetrick recognized there would be no way to get past the 1-20 favorite and let Sylvia Hanover raced parked off the winner.

After middle-half fractions of 54 2/5 and 1:21 1/5, Twin B Joe Fresh, a 5-year-old by Roll With Joe, was pulling away from the field, with the battle for second all that was left in the last quarter. Twin B Joe Fresh sprinted off with a 27 3/5 final panel as Sylvia Hanover fought gamely for the place spot ahead of Seaside Diva.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

"She still had the plugs in," said Dunn, commenting on what was likely left in the tank for the mare that heads next to The Red Mile for the Allerage.

Owned by Dunn, trainer Chris Ryder, Pete Trebotica and Barry Spak, Twin B Joe Fresh pushed her seasonal bankroll to a shade under $500,000 with her 35th career victory and second straight dominating performance against the best in the open mare class. As the shortest-priced favorite, she returned $2.10 to win.

"I might be biased but you don't see horses like this too often," said Ryder of the champion pacing mare.