A total of eight divisions of two-year-old colt pacers, filly trotters, and colt trotters will compete in the first leg of Ohio Sires Stakes action Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (July 16-18) at MGM Northfield Park.  The two divisions of freshman colt pacers carry a purse of $55,000 each while all other divisions carry $40,000 purses.

Act Fast (pictured above) will try to make it two in a row to start his career in the first division of freshman colt pacers Saturday.  Chris Page will drive the son of Downbytheseaside for trainer Ron Burke.  Act Fast, the 3-2 favourite, won the $150,000 Next Generation July 4th at Eldorado Scioto Downs.  Act Fast is owned by the Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services, Rich Lombardo Racing, and Beasty LLC.

Next Generation second place finisher Rockmelikeyameanit is the second choice at 5-2.  Dan Noble will drive the McArdle gelding for trainer Christi Noble.  Rockmelikeyameanit is owned by Dennis Owens, Norman Rae Racing, and James Morris.

In the second division, Surfside Beach gets the early nod as the favourite at 5-2.  Ronnie Wrenn Jr. will drive for trainer Brian Brown.  The Downbytheseaside gelding is owned by Lombardo Racing & In The Gym, Acadia Farms, VIP Internet Stables, and Joe Sbrocco. 
 
Ten of the 17 freshman pacers are sired by Downbytheseaside. 

On Sunday night, three divisions of freshman filly trotters highlight the Northfield Park 15-race card.  A total of 26 freshman filly are scheduled to take the track

In the first division, Aaron Merriman will drive the 8-5 favourite Cali Red for trainer Chris Beaver.  Cali Red finished second in her only start of the year, the Next Generation.  The daughter of Triumphant Caviar is owned by Beaver and Sandra Burnett. 

The second choice is Smokinhotirishgirl owned by TheStable.ca and Hutchison Harness at 5-2.  Anthony MacDonald drives the Uncle Peter filly for trainer Jason McGinnis.
 
A wide-open field of nine will go behind the gate for the second division.  First-time starters are the top two choices; Along In Time is the favourite at 5-2, while Rose Run Yolanda is the second choice at 4-1.

Don Irvine Jr. will handle the lines for Along In Time.  Garry Martin trains and co-owns the daughter of Long Tom with B. Kleinberg Racing.

Black Magic Racing’s Rose Run Yolanda is trained by Todd Luther and will be driven by Trevor Smith.

In the third division, Next Generation winner Swinging Senorita is the 8-5 favourite.  Jason McGinnis trains, and Anthony MacDonald drives for the Thestable.ca and Hutchison Harness.  Swinging Senorita, a What The Hill filly, has won two of three starts and has earned $80,750 this year.

Second choice Truly Relentless has finished second in both of her starts including the Next Generation.  Chris Lems drives for trainer Steve Cross.  The daughter of Long Tom is owned by Richard Gutnick, Thomas Pontone, and Joseph Lozito.
 
Three divisions of 25 colt trotters will highlight the card on Monday (July 18) at Northfield Park. 
 
In the first division, five first-time starters will go behind the gate.  The other three have one start under their belt with 2-1 favourite John Dutton the only one to hit the board, a second-place finish.  Ron Burke trains and Chris Page drives the son of What The Hill.  John Dutton is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services, Johnny Yoder, and RAS Racing.

In the second division, Kayne Kaufman will drive the 5-2 favourite Rumble Strips for trainer Mike Polhamus.  The Long Tom colt was third in his only start.  Constance Polhamus and Mary Beth Walters own Rumble Strips.

Second choice Covid Cartel is the only winner of the nine trotters.  The son of Enterprise is trained by John Wengerd and driven by Greg Grismore.  Covid Cartel is owned by Norstar Stable.

Black Magic will look for his fourth win in as many starts for trainer Steve Cross.  Black Magic has earned $82,750 in his three wins.  Richard Gutnick, Thomas Pontone, and Joseph Lozito own the Full Count colt.

Allen Miller owns and trains the second choice, Stumpy.  Ryan Stahl will drive the What The Hill gelding
 
First post time for all three days of racing is 6:00 p.m.
 
(OHHA)