Not To Be Denied in Dream Of Glory

Not To Be Denied lived up to his name in winning the $15,000 final of the Dream Of Glory Series on Friday night at Scioto Downs. He led all the way for driver J.D. Wengerd to notch a 1:56.4 upset victory.

Not To Be Denied’s bid for the lead was made easier when even-money favorite Too Good Too Pass broke stride at the start. Wengerd put Not To Be Denied in control of the race and rebuffed a mid-race challenge from Pegasus Point. The leader was under attack from Hezahumer and Buckeye Man in the stretch. Chip Noble slipped Buckeye Man, a 2-1 second choice in the wagering, up the inside.

Wengerd asked his trotter for something extra approaching the wire and Not To Be Denied held on to win by a head over Buckeye Man. Hezahumer was just ¾-length back in third. Not To Be Denied paid $21.40 to win.

It was the eighth win in 18 starts this season for the 7-year-old gelded son of Perfect Spiral. Not To Be Denied took a new mark in the process for trainer Larry Clabaugh and owned Mario Caponi of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.