It will be a wide-open affair Saturday night at MGM Northfield Park as six three-year-old colt and gelding trotters set their sights on the $100,000 (U.S.) purse in the second leg of the Ohio Sires Stakes (OHSS).
Royal Precedent will look for his second OHSS win of the year. Trained by Jodi Schillaci, Royal Precedent went gate-to-wire to win the first leg at Miami Valley Raceway on May 4 in 1:54.1. The son of Creatine will start from post position one with Ronnie Wrenn Jr. in the bike. Royal Precedent is 5-2 on the morning line.
Tennessee Tom, last year’s two-year-colt trotter of the year in Ohio did not race in the first leg of the sires stakes but he's back in OHSS action Saturday. Chris Page will drive the Long Tom gelding for trainer Ron Burke. Tennessee Tom has won both starts this year, winning the James K. Hackett elimination and finals at Miami Valley Raceway. Tennessee Tom has the number three post position and is third choice at 3-1.
The favourite is Spaaaanzano (pictured above). Aaron Merriman will drive the 2-1 choice for trainer Chris Beaver, who co-owns with Canadians Bill Manes and Leo Fleming along with Spaaaartners of Ballston Spa, N.Y. Spaaaanzano is coming off a track record performance, winning the Battle of Bunker Hill at Plainridge Park last month. The son of Coraggioso will start from the fifth post position.
The second leg of the Ohio Sires Stakes is part of the Battle of Lake Erie card at MGM Northfield Park. The card includes the Battle of Lake Erie, the MGM Buckeye Distaff, and six races in the Buckeye Stallion Series for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters. The first race post time for the 16-race card from MGM Northfield Park is 6:00 p.m.
(Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association)