Dayton: When Dovescry flies to Dayton Oaks Derby title

When Dovescry worked out a pocket trip behind Atlanta and rallied in the stretch to win the $250,000 Dayton Oaks Derby for older trotting mares on Saturday night at Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway in 1:54.

Atlanta (Yannick Gingras) led the way through fractions of 28 4/5, 57 1/5, and 1:25 4/5, with Bella Belini (Dexter Dunn) moving first-over from fourth as they raced through the backstretch for the final time and putting pressure on Atlanta through the final bend.

That duel between Atlanta and Bella Bellini continued into the lane, but waiting patiently and watching the action in front of her had been When Dovescry, and when the passing lane became available in the stretch, driver David Miller guided When Dovescry into that path. Once she had the space, When Dovescry had the kick to go with it and out-footed Atlanta and Bella Bellini to the wire, winning by three-quarters of a length. Refined (Mitch Cushing) and Herculisa (Brett Miller) rounded out the top five.

"I was right where I wanted to be there. At Delaware [in the Miss Versatility Series final] they went too slow, but 57 to the half, I figured that was a good pace for us. Around the last turn I heard Yannick yell at his mare, and she didn't really take off from me, and Bella Bellini, he was asking her. I felt pretty confident at the head of the stretch.

"She can go with those mares. She definitely deserves this win here. She's been struggling a little bit here as of late, but don't ever count her out."

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

Brett Pelling trains When Dovescry, a 6-year-old Muscle Hill mare, for owner John Lengacher. When Dovescry picked up her 22nd career victory, and she has now pocketed $1,921,002. She returned $7.00 to win as the 5-2 third choice.

"You saw the three mares there, they kind of drew off on the rest of them, and I think all three of them are champions," stated Pelling. "She tripped out and got it done, but she's been awful good for a while as well.

"Racing against these girls, we race against each other pretty much every time we line up, and I'm just so happy for her to get one. She's been one-for-11 but knocking on the door all the time. They say it takes a little bit of luck, but she's been great as well."