Friskie Adam raced like a 2-5 favourite should in winning his $40,000 division of Ohio Sires Stakes action at Miami Valley Raceway on Saturday night, scoring comfortably by two lengths in 1:53.2.
The odds-on favourites in the other two OHSS races last night did not fare so well. Both Dibs and Hooray For Willie failed to reach the winner’s circle.
Friskie Adam left fast in his division, then yielded to Big Bossman during the middle half, and then paced past him easily in the final quarter for driver Kyle Ater and trainer Dan Ater. Dr. Jerry Maloon owns the sophomore son of Feelin Friskie.
Big Bossman held on for second while Feel The Heat claimed the show dough.
Dibs was the 2-5 favourite in the other split for Ohio-sired three-year-old colt and gelding pacers. He faltered badly in the final quarter after challenging 13-1 shot Hawks Cry Hoboken with a quarter-mile remaining. Hawks Cry Hoboken accelerated away leaving the field 8-1/4 lengths in his wake at the wire. Upfront Clays Boy rallied for second while Players King got the third place cheque.
Josh Sutton drove Hawks Cry Hoboken for owners Carl Howard, Herres Stable, and Gerry Tucker, and trainer Virgil Morgan, Jr. He paid $27.60 to win his first race in four tries this season and second in his career. The winning time was 1:54.2.
Hooray For Willie was another odds-on favourite who failed to reward bettors on Saturday night as he led from the start into the homestretch, then fell to longshots Cantcutthatchip (12-1) and Ladys Dude (15-1). Cantcutthatchip reached the wire a neck ahead of Ladys Dude for driver Jason Brewer, trainer Jim Dailey, and owners Kathy Ratcliff and Jerry Zosel in the 1:58.1 victory.
Hooray For Willie wound up a length behind the winner in third.
Soul Train, sent off as the 2-1 second choice, broke stride during the race and finished ninth while the highly-regarded Noah Count broke stride early and finished tenth and last.
(Ohio Racing Commission)