Winning Ticket established a new Scioto Downs track record of 1:53.1 for three-year-old trotting geldings as he cruised to victory in the first of two $50,000 Ohio Sires Stakes on Friday evening.

The son of Triumphant Caviar, out of the Credit Winner mare Lotto Winner, is trained by Chris Beaver for partners Steve Zeehandelar, Tim Homan and Jim Burnett. This was Winning Ticket’s third consecutive victory in OSS competition and was a career best mark for the gelding, who is now undefeated in seven starts this season. The 1-9 favourite finished well ahead of the hard-trying Lockbox (Chris Page), with Mcstoned Again (Tyler Smith) grabbing third-place honours.

Winning Ticket now has $75,000 in OSS earnings this year; $135,000 in seasonal earnings; and $231,047 earned lifetime.

Peters Royalty, the 9-2 choice, captured the second OSS division in 1:56.2 with driver Josh Sutton at the controls. The son of Uncle Peter-Dream Of Royalty-Yankee Glide won a dramatic photo finish that saw him finish a whisker in front of favourite Dontforgetlittlman (Dan Noble) and Ilikedecupcakes (Sandy Beatty).

Owned by McLoughlin, Short and Garland, Peters Royalty is trained by Debra Garland and was second to Winning Ticket in leg one of this series. Bred by Marsh Valley Standardbreds, Peters Royalty now has $55,080 in seasonal earnings and $76,280 in career earnings. This was his third win this year and fourth lifetime.

Ohio Sires Stakes continued Saturday night with seven divisions for two-year-old pacing colts and fillies.

(OSDF)