Hollywood Dayton Raceway’s inaugural program on Friday night (October 3) was a rousing success.

An overflow crowd was treated to 14 races of full fields in a fan-friendly two-deck clubhouse. Despite a steady drizzle during the later races and a racing surface that was tiring, horsemen throughout Ohio were enthused about their newest venue, especially the state-of-the-art paddock.

Ontario-sired Ella V Horse (Dan Noble) went wire-to-wire in 1:54.3 to win the first race, a $7,000 conditioned pace for fillies and mares, for trainer Travion Jones and owner Mitchell Standardbreds. The seven-year-old Royal Mattjesty mare won by more than two lengths over Machs Delicacy (Josh Sutton) and Platinum Spirit (Randy Tharps).

Igottafeelinfran (Noble) captured the $12,000 Mares Open Pace with a strong last quarter brush to collar pacesetter Sectionline Yankee (Greg Grismore). Betit To Getit (Jason Brewer) finished third in the 1:55.3 mile. The winner is a four-year-old Ohio-sired daughter of Feelin Friskie owned by Harold Lee and Harold Bauder in partnership with Michael Dixon. Jim Dailey trains the lifetime winner of $338,871.

Racing resumes at Hollywood Dayton Raceway on Saturday night with the regular 6:35 p.m. post time.

(With files from Dayton Raceway)