It was an action-packed night at MGM Northfield Park on Wednesday, July 17 when rivals Sugar Instead and Jurassic Hattie battled for dominance in the third leg of the Ohio Sires Stakes for three-year-old trotting fillies. The rivals were forced head-to-head as only one $136,986 division went behind the gate.

Leaving from the second and third posts, respectively, Sugar Instead and Jurassic Hattie battled out of the gate. Guided by Kurt Sugg, Jurassic Hattie found herself on top with 4-5 favourite Sugar Instead and Brett Miller securely in the pocket. Not to be intimidated, Jurassic Hattie set fractions in :28.1, :59, and 1:27. It was in the final turn that Miller urged Sugar Instead to challenge Jurassic Hattie. Sugar Instead answered the call, grabbing the lead and cruising to a 2-1/2-length win in 1:55.3. Roxanna and Aaron Merriman completed the top three finish order.

Trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. and owned by Joyce McClelland and Larry Wills, Sugar Instead is five-for-five in her three-year-old season. The daughter of Volstead has bankrolled $521,186 in lifetime earnings with a 12-for-16 record. 

The first leg of the Buckeye Stallion Series for two-year-old colt trotters was completed during Wednesday's card with the winners taking new lifetime marks in each of the four $27,397 divisions.

Tom Cruiser notched his first career win in the first division. The Long Tom gelding got away third after leaving from the trailing ninth post position. Chris Lems moved Tom Cruiser first up at the half-mile marker and the gelding powered on to trip the wire in 2:02.3. Scott Cox trains Tom Cruiser for owner/breeder G Peters. Good Envy (Cameron McCown) finished a half-length behind in second with I Dont Play Nice (Anthony MacDonald) third.

Despite an early miscue behind the gate, Sweet Harmony took the second division in 2:02.2 by one length. At the first quarter pole, Sweet Harmony and Ronnie Gillespie were 13 lengths off the leader. The gelded son of Uncle Peter charged the field. When the leader, Oaxaca Harry (Trevor Smith), made a break, Sweet Harmony glided by for his third victory in four starts. Gillispie trains for owner Anthony Miller. Lovelle (Ryan Stahl) was second and Oh Yes (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) rounded out the top three.

Cowboy Poker took the third and fastest division of the night in 1:59.2. After the dust settled, Cowboy Poker worked his way to the top for an opening quarter in :29.4. Guided by Brett Miller, the Marseille gelding never looked back and set remaining fractions in 1:00 and 1:29.4 en route to the 2-3/4-length victory. The first-time starter is trained and co-owned by Jim Arledge Jr. along with Paul Phillips, Laura Baker and Paul Baker. Oso Fast (Lems) was second while Letsgotoparis (Kurt Sugg) held on for third.

In the final division, Flying Tom and Wrenn won in wire-to-wire fashion in 2:01 by two lengths. It was the first career victory for the gelded son of Long Tom. He is trained and co-owned by Tye Loy alongside David Wills, Richard Coad and Douglas Gregory. Last Call Romero (Greg Grismore) rallied for second with Nelli Up (Lems) finishing third.

Ohio Sires Stakes action continues on Sunday night, July 21 at Northfield Park with the second leg for two-year-old colt and filly pacers. The Buckeye Stallion Series will continue on Monday, July 22 at Northfield when freshman colt pacers take to the track for the second leg. First race post time is 6 p.m.

(With files from Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)