Hollywood Dayton: Pasithea Face S prevails in Dayton Trotting Derby

Pasithea Face S turned in a track record 1:53 mile in winning the $170,000 Dayton Trotting Derby for free-for-allers on Friday night at Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway.

Starting from post four in the field of eight, Pasithea Face S (Tim Tetrick), one of two mares in the field, would go to the lead and chop out the opening quarter in 27 seconds. The other lady in the group, Hannelore Hanover (Matt Kakaley), moved up on the outside and challenged Pasithea Face S at the 54 4/5 half, but Hannelore Hanover, who was the favorite in the race, was unable to clear.

With Hannelore Hanover spinning her wheels on the outside and then backing through the field, Tetrick was able to steal a big breather in the third quarter, reaching three-quarters in just 1:24 2/5, and then Pasithea Face S turned it back on in the final panel, trotting home in 28 3/5 to defeat Crazy Wow (Chris Page) by three lengths. JL Cruze (David Miller) came in third, followed by Centurion ATM (Aaron Merriman) and Warrawee Roo (Daniel Dube).

Coming off a third-place finish to Hannelore Hanover in the Maple Leaf Trot, Tetrick noted that he was gunning for a better trip.

"Last time I put her in a bad spot. She had tons of trot finishing," he remarked. "If I got out of there and got the lead I was hoping to keep it, and I did. She's a big, strong mare and she can carry them pretty good."

Pasithea Face S, a 5-year-old Muscle Hill mare, is trained by Jimmy Takter for owner Courant AB. This was her 12th career victory, and she has now earned $564,315. The 7-2 third choice, Pasithea Face S paid $9.00 to win.