As one of two mares in the field of boys, Sly Little Fox snuck passed her competitors on Wednesday (Dec. 28) to take the $23,000 Open Handicap Trot at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.
Driven by Jordan Ross, Sly Little Fox quickly settled into fourth place along the rail. As 17-1 Magic Night tripped the opening quarter in :27.4, the four-year-old daughter of Swan For All sat patiently. Sly Little Fox spotted her chance as the field reached the half in an easy :58.4. Following cover from 23-1 Brookview Bolt, the mare fell into gear at the 1:27.1 three-quarter pole. Three-wide around the final turn, Sly Little Fox pushed on to stop the clock in 1:56.2.
The 5-2 second choice Sly Little Fox bested Brookview Bolt (Mitch Cushing) in second while Magic Night (Jeremy Smith) finished third.
Having won 11 of 24 seasonal starts, Sly Little Fox has quickly become a tough Open-level competitor at both Hoosier Park and now Dayton Raceway. Despite a slow beginning to her career, the mare has banked $129,350 this year alone. Mike Hollenback conditions Sly Little Fox for owner Bambi Fox.
Live racing will resume Thursday (Dec. 29) at Dayton Raceway with first post at 4 p.m.
(Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)