Kyle Ater drove Mystique Cruiser with absolute confidence in the first division of the Ohio Sires Stakes for sophomore colt pacers on Saturday at Scioto Downs and the swift gelding didn’t disappoint

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Mystique Cruiser went right to the front at the start of the race and drew off to win by 4-1/2 lengths in 1:52.4, fastest mile of the evening. Two longshots chased the winner across the wire. Maxs Cruiser (29-1) was second and Cruisin Sage (48-1) was third.

Kyle’s father Dan Ater trains the son of Yankee Cruiser for Green Racing and Larry Baron.

Rodney Bolon drove another fast three-year-old OSS pacer to victory in gate-to-wire style when he won with Dance With Dan in 1:53.4, but his margin over favoured Special D was just a nose. Noble Thought finished third. Kent Mc Gee trains and co-owns the son of Precious Bunny in partnership with Charles Minger.

The third division of OSS for sophomore pacers went to Cruzin Bayou, trained and driven by Ohio Hall of Famer Chip Noble. He came from off the pace to win in 1:55.3 by a half-length over Romeos Touch with Four Hoof Drive a length back in third. The winner is owned by the Dr. Jerry Maloon Stable.

Three-year-old trotting males were also featured in Ohio Sires Stakes action on Saturday at Scioto with Look At That coming from behind to nip Sharp Action by a head in 1:57.4. Chip Noble drove the winner for trainer Jim Mulinix, who owns the gelding in partnership with Dale Leu. Colby D was placed third after Aloha Hooray was placed back from third to fifth.

B Contemporary took the other OSS division for sophomore trotters with a front-stepping score in 1:58.1 for trainer-driver Jim Dailey. The son of Pegasus Spur was a five-length winner as pre-race favourite Sun Of A Victory broke stride at the start and finished out of the money. Iliketherain was second and Master In Charge finished third.

The Open Pace on Saturday featured a tight finish at the end of a 1:53.3 mile with the 11-1 shot Willis Coder nosing out odds-on favourite KF St Patrick. KF St Patrick set the pace, but driver Kyle Ater sent Willis Coder after the leader in the stretch and nipped him at the wire. Ned Hodkinson trains the four-year-old gelding for Dennis Hritz. Handsome Prince was a close third in the fast mile.

(Scioto Downs)