Driver Chris Page beat the favourite in the James K. Hackett Memorial for males and won with the favourite in the filly counterpart on Saturday a Lebanon Raceway.
Page, currently ranked fifth in wins among North American drivers, used similar tactics in putting his horses on the lead early in both Hackett divisions.
He moved Dusto, sent off at 9-2 odds, for the front approaching the half-mile marker in the Hackett for males and grabbed the lead. Then he was under immediate pressure from his stablemate and 1-2 favourite Firetowers Stand, driven by Kayne Kauffman.
The two pacers, both trained by Steve Carter, duelled for the final half with Dusto in front and protecting his inside position. Firetowers Stand was parked outside, but his attack was unrelenting. Once they turned into the stretch, it appeared that favoured Firetowers Stand might surge past Dusto, but Page rallied his pacer and prevailed by a nose in 1:57. Phantom Flasher was a fast-closing third.
Carter also bred and owns the winning son of Stand Forever, who now has career earnings of $55,282. Last year he compiled a 7-5-3 slate in 19 starts and finished second in the $100,000 Ohio Sires Stakes final at Scioto Downs.
Page had an easier time winning the Hackett Memorial for fillies with 1-5 favourite Cating Around, last year’s champion freshman filly pacer in Ohio. She started from post one and no one dared challenge her for the lead, so Page was able to cut an easy opening half-mile in :59.1.
Then driver Dan Noble moved Igottafeelinfran into high gear. She went right at Cating Around and got within a length, but simply couldn’t get past her as Cating Around had too much gas left in the tank. Crosswind Colleen was well back in third.
Cating Around hit the wire in 1:56.4 to notch her second victory of the season in two starts for owners Timothy Lane, Gary Cook, and Jennifer Brown. Brian Brown trains the daughter of Feelin Friskie.
The Hackett victory pushed Cating Around’s lifetime earnings to $105,700. In 11 career starts, she has five wins and six seconds.
(Ohio State Racing Commission)