The curtain closed on the Ohio Fairs Championships with four sophomore and four freshman divisions at MGM Northfield Park on Saturday, Oct.19. Each championship carried a purse of $69,444.
Freshmen were impressive with three championship winners lowering their lifetime marks.
Jailhouse Pearl went wire-to-wire in the championship for filly trotters. Driver Chris Lems hustled the daughter of Long Tom to the lead and never looked back, posting fractions in :28.4, 1:00.1 and 1:29.1. As the 3-5 favourite, Jailhouse Pearl drew away to win in a lifetime mark of 1:59.1. Madam L (Hank LeVan) was second while Kountry Behave (Aaron Merriman) finished third.
Jailhouse Pearl has never missed the board, scoring 10 wins and five second-place finishes this year. She has earned $86,971 under Eric Nesselroad’s conditioning. Casey Clemens bred and owns Jailhouse Pearl.
The championship for filly pacers went to Evil L in 1:57.3. Evil L and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. raced third along the rail as betting favourite Pink Jammies (Hunter Myers) set fractions in :28.2, :59.2 and 1:29. Heading into the final turn, Evil L powered up to pulled three-wide and win in a new lifetime mark. Maddies Delite (Austin Hanners) was second and Pink Jammies held on third.
Evil L has notched six wins, seven seconds and four third-place finishes this year. She has earned $71,929 in 18 tries. It was the second start for Evil L under trainer Elson Miller. Josiah Miller owns the daughter of Fear The Dragon while Midland Acres bred the filly.
Jet Wings and Elliot Deaton took the championship for colt trotters in 1:59.4. Jet Wings took advantage of his inside post position and eased off the gate to settle in fourth. After the :29.4 opening quarter, the What The Hill gelding pulled first-up as the field passed the half in 1:01.1. Jet Wings easily grabbed the lead before hitting the three-quarters in 1:30.2. With no challengers, Jet Wings cruised across the wire in a new lifetime mark. Full Moon Howl (Luke Ebersole) finished second and Hydroplanen Henry (Greg Bateson) rallied for third.
The victory was the fifth of the season for Jet Wings. The Virgil Morgan Jr. trainee has not missed a cheque in 15 starts, earning $76,737 for owner Joyce McClelland. Jet Wings was bred by Martz Creek Farm.
Unique Catch captured the championship for colt pacers in 1:55.4. Out of the gate, Unique Catch briefly battled with Downbytheparade (Merriman) before settling into the pocket at the :28. opening quarter. Driver-trainer Daren Harvey stayed patient with Unique Catch while the field reached the half in :58.2. The son of Catch The Fire changed gears while passing the 1:27. three-quarters pole and popped the pocket to challenge Downbytheparade in a closing effort. Unique Catch showed his grit, winning by a nose. Lord Bridgerton (Wrenn) finished third.
Unique Catch has won nine of 12 this season. Originally a $15,000 purchase out of the Buckeye Classic Sale, the victory upped his earnings to $70,653. The colt is owned by Wayne Mast Jr., Eden Acres Farmstead, Steven Miller and Daren Harvey. Henry Burkholder bred Unique Catch.
At 37-1, Threemargaritashot (pictured above) upset the sophomore colt pace championship in 1:53.3. Guided by Austin Hanners, Threemargaritashot settled into the pocket as the leader passed the opening quarter in :27.2. While heading to the :55.3 half-mile marker, betting favourite Drinkinmybabygdby (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) made his move to grab control of the field. Threemargaritashot stayed patient until the 1:23.4 three-quarters. The gelded son of Pet Rock pulled off the rail and rocketed to the lead, winning by a length. Drinkinmybabygdby held on for second and All Lathered Up (Aaron Merriman) was third.
The Randy Smith trainee has hit the board 16 of 24 seasonal starts. Threemargaritashot has bankrolled $68,149 this year and $114,574 lifetime. Jessica Smith owns Threemargaritashot. He was bred by Brent Hopper and Kyle Gray.
The championship for sophomore colt trotters went to Jurassic Justice in 1:58.4. Merriman let the field fall into place before urging Jurassic Justice to the lead at the :29 opening quarter. Once on top, the gelded son of Volstead set remaining fractions in :58.4 and 1:28.4 before opening up to win by five lengths. Whiskey Peddler (Hanners) was second while Super James (Don Irvine Jr.) finished third.
Jurassic Justice has won 10 of 18 seasonal starts and earned $93,914. Michael Lowe trains and co-owns Jurassic Justice alongside breeder Jerry Welch.
Lady Bridgerton dominated the sophomore filly pace championship in 1:55.2. Wrenn briefly let the dust settle before powering the daughter of Bit Of A Legend N to the lead. Lady Bridgerton quickly pulled away from the field to set fractions in :27.2, :56.3 and 1:25.3 before cruising across the wire. Sp Dancinwithstarz (Keith Kash Jr.) was second with Cruiser Cancelled (Elliot Deaton) third.
The victory marked the 10th win of the season for Lady Bridgerton. She has hit the board 17 of 22 tries this season to earn $141,979. Brian Georges trains for Kent Walker, Travis Kelley, Benjamin Jamison and Curt Carey. Ct Stables bred Lady Bridgerton.
Flip Five Stones and Jeff Nisonger took the championship for sophomore filly trotters. Chaos erupted in the first turn as the three front-runners made breaks. Flip Fives Stones minded her manners in the middle of the pack as the field passed the opening quarter in :29. She followed cover while heading to the half in 1:00, but made a powerful move to grab the lead at the 1:29 three-quarters pole. Flip Five Stones confidently stopped the clock in 1:59. All About Faith (Jason Beattie) rebounded after her miscue to place second. Phyllis L (Hank LeVan) finished third.
Flip Five Stones has notched 11 wins, four seconds and two third-place finishes this season. Trained by Mark Winters, the daughter of Lane Of Stone has earned $109,257 for breeder-owner Dennis Shaner.
(Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)