Hollywood Dayton: Pacing Derby trophy taken by Bettor's Wish

Bettor's Wish ended up with a second-over journey and turned it into a 1:49 triumph in the $176,500 Dayton Pacing Derby for free-for-allers on Saturday night at Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway.

Century Farroh (David Miller) left out quickly from post four and led early, but Ocean Rock (Dan Noble), a 3-year-old who supplemented into the race, pressed on two-wide and overtook him for the lead past the opening quarter, which went up on the board in 26 seconds. Ocean Rock continued to show the way to the 54 2/5 half, but Sectionline Bigry (Tyler Smith) had vacated the cones to go first-up from fourth, with Bettor's Wish (Dexter Dunn) and Dancin Lou (Brian Sears) lined up behind him in the cover flow.

Ocean Rock and Sectionline Bigry tussled up the backstretch, to the 1:21 1/5 three-quarters, and around the last turn, but Dunn sent Bettor's Wish three-wide midway through the bend while they were dueling in front of him and overtook both leaders in upper stretch. Bettor's Wish's work wasn't done yet, though, as Dancin Lou swung out off his cover and Century Farroh found room from the pocket, but Bettor's Wish had the jump on both of them and held sway to win by three-parts of a length. Dancin Lou followed in second, with Century Farroh third, This Is The Plan (Yannick Gingras) fourth, and Our Majordan (Brett Miller) fifth.

"On paper it looked like there was going to be a bit of speed early, and the trip worked out perfect," remarked Dunn. "He just did what he's been doing the last few years and got the job done."

Trainer Chris Ryder also co-owns Bettor's Wish, a 4-year-old son of Bettor's Delight, with Bella Racing Ltd., Fair Island Farm Inc., and Bettor's Wish Partners. This was his 21st career victory, and he has now earned $2,212,883. He paid $5.80 to win as the 9-5 favorite.

While Ocean Rock wasn't victorious in the big event, Noble did win the $75,000 consolation with Stars Align, a 7-year-old Art Major stallion, in 1:48 1/5, which matched the track record. The Christi Noble-trained Australian import is now a 31-time winner and pushed his bankroll to $410,199. Dismissed at 11-1, he returned $24.20 to win.