James Beluscak and Bob Carson’s Lord Of The Reigns creeped up the rail to win in a lifetime best 1:55.2 at odds of 14-1 in the first of two $40,000 Ohio Sires Stakes on a blustery June 19 afternoon at Scioto Downs.
Conversely, the 1-5 favourite, Fraser Ridge, did as expected by capturing the second division handily in 1:56.
A total of 16 diagonally-gaited three-year-old colts and geldings battled in round two of the four-leg series that culminates with a $250,000 Championship for two- and three-year-olds of both gaits and genders on Saturday, Sept. 2 at the central-Ohio five-eighths mile oval.
Conditioned by Marty Wollam, Lord Of The Reigns, a three-year-old son of Dejarmbro, had won OHSS-Leg One on May 2 at Miami Valley Raceway in 1:57.3 in his first career triumph, but had not visited the winner’s circle in three starts following that victory.
However, this uber-consistent diagonally-gaited athlete was second once and third twice in his aforementioned outings after that first OHSS score.
The homebred sophomore now has two wins in five starts this year and upped his seasonal earnings to $55,380 and his career bankroll to $77,096. Lord Of The Reigns returned $31.00 on a two dollar win ticket, finishing three-quarters of a length in front of Star Buster (9-5, Ryan Stahl), with Always A Good Time (6-1, Chris Page) a length back in third.
Full Surge, the 4-5 favourite, made a break behind the gate for driver Mike Wilder and never recovered, spotting the field of eight more than two dozen lengths and finishing last.
Lord Of The Reigns is the first foal out of the Cantab Hall mare Mariko Hanover 3, 1:59F ($45,141).
Fraser Ridge used come-from-behind tactics to emerge victorious for driver Chris Page, overtaking the determined 13-1 Magic Vacation (Kayne Kauffman) in the final strides. Speed Lane (8-1, Dan Noble) picked up show honours, 1-1/4 lengths back.
The Chris Beaver trainee, a son of Triumphant Caviar, notched his third victory this season and sixth career win for the partnership of Donald Robinson, Cardington, OH; Robert Mondillo, Delaware, OH; Chris Beaver, Radnor, OH; and RBH Ventures of New York, NY.
Bred by Steve Stewart of Paris, KY, Fraser Ridge now has $202,595 in his career bank account from six wins in 17 starts, with $64,564 in seasonal earnings.
The third foal out of the Muscles Yankee mare Classical Mary 3, 1:55.2M ($207,811) Fraser Ridge is a half-brother in Guy Fox (by Glidemaster) 4, 1:55.2f ($119,405).
Ohio Sires Stakes action resumes July 1 as three-year-old colt pacers (Leg Three) vie at Northfield Park; two-year-old filly trotters (Leg One), July 3, Northfield; two-year-old pacing colts (Leg One), July 4, Scioto Downs; and two-year-old filly pacers (Leg One), July 5, Scioto Downs.
(OSDF)