The first leg of Ohio Sires Stakes action for two-year-olds concluded Sunday, July 10 at MGM Northfield Park and drivers Aaron Merriman and Chris Page each won two races. Six $40,000 divisions were contested, three for the colts and three for the fillies.
In the first division for the filly trotters, Roxanna with Merriman was fourth around the final turn but found a gap mid-stretch and charged to the line to win by a head in 1:59.4. It was the first career start for the daughter of What The Hill who is trained by Chris Beaver, co-owner with breeder Sandra Burnett. Sedona Hill finished second with Midnight Daydream third.
Sugar Instead and Ronnie Gillespie took the pocket trip and rallied down the stretch to nip Possibility and Merriman at the line to win by a head in 1:58.1, the best time of the six divisions. Trained by Virgil Morgan Jr., the Volstead filly has a win and a second-place finish in her young career. Sugar Instead has earned $57,500 for owners Joyce McClelland and Larry Wills. My Rory finished third.
In the third division, Page and even-money favourite Iam Independent got away eighth but worked their way through the field going three-wide up the backstretch and around the final turn. The Triumphant Caviar filly found another gear down the stretch reeling in the leaders to win by a length. it was the first win in two starts for Iam Independent, who is trained by Ron Burke and owned by Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables and Weaver Bruscemi. Shes Spice was second with Kaminari third.
In the first division for the freshman colt trotters, Rose Run Zoom and Don Irvine Jr. went three-wide to grab the lead at the quarter and never looked back, winning in 1:57.1. The daughter of Uncle Peter is trained by Rosy Weaver, who co-owns with Heartland Acres and Kabby D LLC. It was the first win in two starts for Rose Run Zoom. Commander Tom finished second with TTs Magnum Force finishing third.
Page and Burke picked up their first win of the night with Tennessee Tom in the second division for the colts. The son of Long Tom charged up the backstretch from fifth to catch the leader Epass at the top of the stretch. The two battled on the way home with Tennessee Tom first to the wire by a head. It was the first win in two starts for the Burke trainee. Tennessee Tom has earned $57,500 for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Hatfield Stables and Knox Services. Long Ridge was third.
Coming off his win in the Preferred Equine Next Generation, 1-9 favourite Spaaaanzano (pictured above) with Merriman made it look easy, going gate-to-wire to win by three lengths in 1:58.4. The son of Coraggioso is trained by Beaver, who co-owns with Spaaaartners, Bill Manes and Leo Fleming. Spaaaanzano has won both of his starts this year and has earned $95,000. Do Whats Right was second with Smooth Talkin third.
Ohio Sires Stakes action resumes on Saturday, July 15 at MGM Northfield Park with the second leg for two-year-old colt pacers.
(Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)