GD Western Joe, the Indiana sired son of Real Desire, scored the win in the featured $18,400 Open Pace at Hollywood Gaming Dayton Saturday, Dec. 12. Driven by Chris Page, the five-year-old veteran pacer stopped the timer in 1:50.2 for the win.
Photographer Brad Conrad captured this photo of GD Western Joe and Chris Page winning the Open Pace at Hollywood Gaming Dayton Saturday, Dec. 12. Photo by Conrad Photo
Starting from post three, GD Western Joe was able to get the seat behind last week’s winner, Tellmeaboutit, also Indiana sired, driven by Tyler Smith. After the quarter in :27.2, the two top ones traded spots and GD Western Joe set the half at :55.2. From there, GD Western Joe kept the momentum going. He was able to pace home in :28.0 to reel in the win by two lengths over Tellmeaboutit. The Dark Shadow and Trevor Smith rounded out the trifecta.
A slight favorite over Tellmeaboutit, GD Western Joe paid $4.40 for the win. He is trained by Ron Burke and owned by the partnership of Burke Racing Stable, Hen-Shaut Stable, J & T Silva-Purnel & Libby and Weaver Bruscemi. He was bred by Gerald Yoder in Indiana.
The win in the Open Pace placed GD Western Joe over the $100,000 mark for 2020. He now has nearly $550,000 in purse earnings and his career best time remains at 1:49.3 taken last year at four.
Earlier in the card, Indiana sired Fox Valley Hustler was a winner in claiming action. The three-year-old gelded son of Time to Roll followed along in the two-hold behind Rock N Randy V and Chris Presley until he popped out to challenge at the three-quarter pole. From there, driver Brett Miller had Fox Valley Hustler in full gear, winning by five lengths in 1:52.3 as the favorite of the field. Colin N Down and John DeLong finished second over MG Kid and Shawn Barker II for third.
Trained by Ryan Bellamy, Fox Valley Hustler is owned by Ryan Bellamy and Chris Bulak of Indiana. Fox Valley Standardbreds bred the sophomore, who was claimed out of the race by Philippe Belanger and Jeffrey Koesters. Fox Valley Hustler moves to his new barn with a mark of 1:51 and $90,000 in career earnings.
It was one of six wins on the card for Miller, who leads the standings at Hollywood Gaming Dayton. The meet goes through the end of the year.