On Friday, August 30, Northfield Park hosted the fourth leg of Ohio Sires Stake racing action for two-year-old fillies as part of its 14-race program. Trotters and pacers each competed in two divisions.

The trotters started the stakes action in the evening’s opening race. In The Grippers (Steven One-Over Baked-Overcomer) bested her competition by eight and a half lengths in her $30,000 stakes event. The race was In The Grippers fifth win in six starts. Northfield Park’s leading driver, Chris Page, piloted the filly for trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. and owner Herres Stables LLC of Bellbrook, Ohio.

In The Grippers started from post five. Page sent her to the lead and never experienced an anxious moment at any point of the mile. She posted fractions of :29.2, 1:00.3, 1:31.1 and 2:01.1. Friday’s victory pushed In The Grippers’ bankroll to $81,225. Finishing behind In The Grippers were Rose Run Princess, Cookie N Ice Cream, Sandys Victory and Majesty Sam. In The Grippers returned $4.60 to win.

Pacers took to the stage next for the second race of the evening. Shakin Friskie (Feelin Friskie-Shakrurcancancress-The Panderosa) took the lion’s share of her $30,000 division. She was one of two eventual winners for her connections. Kyle Ater piloted the filly for trainer Mark Winters Sr. and the owning partnership of Bret Schwartz, William Bean and Stephen Montemarano.

Shakin Friskie started from the rail and sat fourth through blistering early fractions of :26.4 and :57.3. Ater sent her on her way in the third panel and was second at the 1:27.3 three-quarter pole. She took the lead in the stretch and maintained a length margin of victory, stopping the timer at 1:58.2. The clocking is a new lifetime mark for Shakin Friskie and propelled her earnings to $24,805. She was followed across the wire by R Spunky Girl, Spiffy Sam, APP Panda and Lucky L. Fayco Filly was scratched sick. Shakin Friskie paid $10.60 to win.

Maes Perfect Storm won the $30,000 second division for filly trotters in the third race of the night. Dan Noble was the winning driver for Chagrin Falls owner Charles Branthoover and trainer Robert Lippiatt.

Maes Perfect Storm (Neely Dunn-Salient-Ilooklikemymom) started from post one and was content with letting her competition post :28.4 and :59.1 fractions. Noble tipped the filly to the outside and remained first over the remainder of the mile. She eventually won by a neck in 2:00.1. The time represents a new lifetime mark for Maes Perfect Storm and accelerated her earnings to $52,312. Anniesbluejeanbaby was a hard-fought second, followed by Emery Jean, Not Dunn Dreamn, Hush Hush Chip and Greased. Maes Perfect Storm was the punter’s choice and returned $4 to win.

The pacers completed the evening’s stakes action in the fifth race. Rosy Fire captured the $30,000 fourth leg. Kyle Ater returned to the winner’s circle for trainer Mark Winters Sr and owners Bret Schwartz, William Bean and Stephen Montemarano. The win was the fourth in nine career starts and bolstered Rosy Fire’s bankroll to $50,457.

Rosy Fire (Feelin Friskie-Justin Rose Jet-Jet Laag) started from post four. Ater brushed the filly to the front early in the mile and she continued on the lead throughout. Rosy Fire posted fractions of :29, :58.3, 1:27.3 and 1:57.1. Rosy Fire won by a neck and the time is her new lifetime mark. Finishing in succession after the winner were Crown Time Keeper, Ataway Samantha, Friskie’s Angel, Lady Julie and Friskie Six. Rosy Fire was the heavy favourite and paid $3 to win.

Northfield Park has announced the addition of a $12,500 Pick 5 total pool guarantee to Tuesday’s (September 3) program. Beginning in Race 3, the $12,500 Pick 5 guaranteed total pool includes a carryover of $2,065.32. Northfield’s Pick 5, Pick 4 and the Pick 3’s offer a reduced takeout rate of 14 per cent. Tuesday’s post time is 6:30 p.m.

(Northfield Park)