Drivers Austin Hanners and Aaron Merriman didn’t let the rain and sloppy track bother them as they each won a pair of $136,986 Ohio Sires Stakes Consolations, known as the Gray Championships, on Sunday night, Oct. 13, at MGM Northfield Park. Hanners won the two-year-old colt pace and three-year-old filly trot while Merriman captured the two-year-old filly trot and the three-year-old colt pace.

Hanners picked up his first title of the night in the Gray Championship for freshman colt and gelding pacers, as he rallied Twin B High Tide (pictured) down the stretch to win in 1:53.4. 

Off the gate, Chris Lems hustled Downbythewater to the lead, which he held for the first three-quarters with fractions of :28, :57.3 and 1:25.1. Hanners powered Twin B High Tide up the backstretch, pulling to the leader’s wheel around the final turn. As the two hit the top of the stretch, Hanners asked for more from the son of Downbytheseaside and the colt responded, reeling in Downbythewater, drawing away to win by two lengths. The Onyx Dragon finished second with Downbythewater third.

“This horse he has a huge motor,” said Hanners. “When I asked him, he gave me everything he had. He’s been awesome. This means everything to us. We finished out the way we wanted to.”

The win was the fifth of the year from nine starts for Twin B High Tide, who is trained by Hanner’s mother Alicia. The colt won the Buckeye Stallion Series final last weekend at Dayton Hollywood Raceway. Twin B High Tide is owned by Hanners Racing and was bred by Twinbrook Limited.

Merriman’s first title was the Two-Year-Old Filly Trot Championship, which featured a calvary charge down the stretch with Mega Money and Merriman holding on to win a tight photo and inquiry over stablemate Triumph Over You.

Merriman took the daughter of Triumphant Caviar to the lead off the gate, covering the first quarter in :28.1. After a :30.1 second panel, Mega Money, the 7-5 favourite was pressured by Mia Sangria and Dublins Dragonfly as they hit three-quarters in 1:28.4. Around the final turn, Up went four-wide to join Mega Money and the challengers while Triumph Over You sat in the pocket. Mid-stretch, Triumph Over You fired down the passing lane entering the fray.  At the wire, the field was six wide within a length of the winner, but it was Mega Money stopping the clock in 1:59.2 by a nose. Dublins Dragonfly was third.

It was the first career win for Mega Money in nine starts. Mega Money is trained by Chris Beaver, who co-owns with Patricia Stable, L A Express Stable and Sjoblom Racing. 

In the first of the eight Ohio Sires Stakes Gray Championships, Anthony MacDonald used the rail to his advantage, taking Gorgeous Package to the lead and never looking back while cruising to an easy two-length victory in the Two-Year-Old Filly Pace.

Gorgeous Package cut fractions of :28, :58.3 and 1:27 on the way to winning in 1:54.4. Odds On Collateral was second with Goodnight Dance third.

“She is a very likable filly,” said MacDonald. “We bought her for next to nothing and she has been a treat.”

The win was the fifth in 10 starts for the daughter of Lather Up.  Gorgeous Package is trained by Jason McGinnis and is owned by Thestable Gorgeouspackage. She was bred by Odds On Nourrir. 

The final Gray Championship for two-year-olds was the colt trot. What A Buckeye with Dan Noble took the early lead with a :28.3 opening quarter. Following a :30.2 second panel, Rose Run Ari and Austin Hanners grabbed the lead heading to three-quarters in 1:28.2. Around the final turn, Ronnie Wrenn Jr. took Rose Run Arch three-wide and took the lead with a late stretch run to win by a length in 1:59.2. Rose Run Ari held on for second with What A Buckeye finishing third.

“He was really good tonight after some trouble with breaking leaving the gate early in the year,” said Wrenn. “He had a lot of trot and when I tipped him, he responded.”

The win was the first of the year in eight starts for the Long Tom gelding. Jeff Conger trains Rose Run Arch and co-owns with Knox Services and Joshua Conger.  Rose Run Farm bred Rose Run Arch.

Hanners’ three-year-old championship title came in the filly trot with Justasiam AS. 

The daughter of Lionhunter was third off the gate but grabbed the lead following a :28.2 opening quarter. After a :30.1 second quarter, Hot Tea with Tyler Smith challenged the leader up the backstretch. Around the final turn, Justasiam AS held the lead by a head. The two battled down the stretch but it was Justasiam AS holding off Hot Tea to win by a nose in 1:58.3. Uma Lady rallied to finish third.

Hanners picked up the drive after Tony Hall, who drove Justasiam AS to the Buckeye Stallion Series final win last week, was injured. 

“She won last week and was impressive. She is extremely talented and showed it tonight,” said Hanners.

The win was the fifth in 14 starts this year for the Anette Lorentzon-trained filly. ACL Stuteri AB owns and bred Justasiam AS.

Merriman’s three-year-old title came with Howaboutayankee in the Colt Pace Gray Championship. 

Nine One Oh Six and Dan Noble grabbed the early lead but gave way to Downbythedanceclub and Chris Page as they hit the quarter pole in :27.3. Merriman pulled Howaboutayankee even with the leader as they passed the half-mile.  As the two headed up the backstretch, Howaboutayankee kicked it into gear, opening a big lead around the final turn and coasting to a 3-3/4-length win in 1:54.

“We hoped to get away towards the front, but he’s gritty and tough, and if he’s good, he can come first-up, and he was good tonight,” said trainer K. Dean Glispie. “When he made the front, I was feeling confident.”

The win was the sixth in 18 starts this season for the son of Dancin Yankee. Always Finish Second Stable owns Howaboutayankee.  The gelding was bred by Matt Rowe.

Beaueastel overcame the far outside sixth post position to win the Three-Year-Old Colt Trot Gray Championship. 

Peter Wrenn took the 2-5 favourite to the lead just past the quarter pole and shook off a challenge from Gypsy Hill and Tyler Smith around the final turn, cruising to a 1-3/4-length victory in 1:58.2. Gypsy Hill finished second with Tts Magnum Force third.

The son of What The Hill has hit the board in nine of 12 starts this year, winning six.

Beaueastel was tied in points for the final spot into the Scarlet Championship but ended up in the Gray Championship. 

“We were happy to be in the Gray Championship,” said trainer Melanie Wrenn. “We landed here and we are super happy.” 

Wrenn said it is a miracle that the horse made it to the championship after missing a couple of weeks due to an injury in August. 

Beaueastel is owned by Wrenn Racing and was bred by MT Pockets Stables.

In the three-year-old championship for filly pacers, Dan Noble and Calypso Pearl won a three-way battle for the lead heading to the quarter, taking control and cruising to an easy three-length victory in 1:55. 

The daughter of Fear The Dragon was never really challenged through quarters of :27.2, :56.1 and 1:24.4. Zuma Beach rallied down the stretch to finish second with Bad Girls Racing third.

Like Beaueastel, Calypso Pearl was also tied in points for the final Scarlet Championship spot. Noble said they would have liked to have been in the Scarlet Championship, but it worked out for the best.

“She likes to keep trucking and when she is really good, she just keeps going.”

The win was the seventh of the year from 18 starts for the Fear The Dragon filly, who went unraced as a two-year-old. Christi Noble trains Calypso Pearl for owner/breeder Sandra Burnett.

Ohio championships continue on Saturday, Oct. 19, with the Ohio Fair Finals at Northfield Park.

(With files from Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)