Two of the best freshman pacing fillies in Ohio last year scored their first victories of the 2012 season in Ohio Sires Stakes action at Scioto Downs on Saturday night.

Scioto carded 14 races on Saturday and 13 different drivers visited the winner’s circle. The only driver to win two races was Dan Noble, the leading dash-winner in North America last year.

In stakes action, Friskie Beauty won a hard-fought decision over Forever Lover in 1:56 for driver Chip Noble and trainer Marty Wollam. Owner Thurman Downing was on hand to accept the trophy.

Ryan Stahl and Forever Lover won the battle for the front in the first quarter, but Noble moved Friskie Beauty to the lead going to the half-mile marker. She led all the way to the wire, although Forever Lover moved up the inside to challenge in the stretch. At the wire, Friskie Beauty was still a neck in front. Letsgoalltheway got up for third.

The win was the first in six starts for Friskie Beauty, one of the best in the Buckeye State last year.

“She’s been having some control problems, but Marty has worked them out,” said Noble after the races. “She’s coming back to her two-year-old form.”

Special Lady D was also one of the best young pacing fillies in Ohio last year, but she was also winless in five starts coming into Saturday night. She came on in the homestretch to overtake pacesetting Feelin Rosie and Chip Noble. She then drew off to win by five and a half lengths in 1:53.3 as Kates Beer Bunny finished second and Friskie Beauty faded to third. Brian Brown trains the winner for Country Club Acres, Danie Wozniak, and William J. Robinson.

Wind River Cat paid $27 in winning her Ohio Sires Stakes pacing split. Kayne Kauffman positioned her behind the pacesetting B Mobile as she set fast fractions into the stretch. Both fillies were tiring but Wind River Cat managed to thrust her nose in front at the wire to win. The time was 1:54.4. Standing Danette was third in the mile. The winner is owned by Wind River Standardbreds and trained by Melanie Williams.

Both trotting splits of the Ohio Sires Stakes were taken in gate-to-wire performances by Rose Run Nellie and Easter Rosetta.

Scott Cox owns, trains, and drives Rose Run Nellie and guided her to her second Ohio Sires Stakes win of the season. She was one and three-quarter lengths ahead of her pursuers at the wire, which she reached in 1:58.2. Yankees Victory was second and Vada Victory third.

Kurt Sugg steered Easter Rosetta to victory after stealing a moderate opening half and then winning by two and three-quarter lengths in 1:58.2. Rickie Williams trains the winner for Ray Neil Williams and Robert Burkhart.

(Scioto Downs)