Rose Run Zane and Clever Cody made it two-for-two in the Ohio Sires Stakes for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers. Each horse won easily Saturday night, June 1 at MGM Northfield Park.
In the first of two $89,041 divisions for sophomore colt pacers, Rose Run Zane, with Austin Hanners up, outduelled Janelle Granny and Aaron Merriman to grab the lead with a :27.1 opening quarter. Following a :56.3 half, Theheavyweightway with Trevor Smith challenged the leaders heading up the backstretch, getting to the leader’s wheel as they passed three-quarters in 1:24.3. Around the final turn, Rose Run Zane widened the lead, holding on to win by three-quarters of a length over Janelle Granny in 1:52.4. Hundred Dollar Man and Montrell Teague finished third.
Dan Venier trains Rose Run Zane for owners John and Leann Saunders. The son of Racing Hill has won six of nine starts this year and raised his earnings for 2024 to $177,286.
In the second division, Merriman took Clever Cody from the rail to the lead and never looked back. Clever Cody controlled the pace with an opening quarter of :27.4, then hit the half in :56.2. Heading up the backstretch, Clever Cody increased his lead over Rock The Hill with Billy Davis Jr., passing three quarters in 1:24. Around the final turn, the son of The Panderosa pulled away and cruised to a 2-1/4-length victory in 1:52. Rock The Hill was second and Outer Banks finished third for Ronnie Wrenn Jr.
It was the second win in three starts for Clever Cody, who has earned $89,042 this year. Clever Cody is owned by The Clever Cody Stable and trained by Dr. Ian Moore.
Sires Stakes action resumes on Friday, June 8 at MGM Northfield Park with the second leg for three-year-old colt trotters.
(With files from the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)