Billy Davis Jr. and Trevor Smith picked up two wins each in the six divisions of the first leg of Buckeye Stallion Series action for two-year-old filly pacers Sunday night (July 10) at MGM Northfield Park. Each division of the first leg carried a purse of $17,500.
In the first division, Elvette Hanover, the 1-9 favourite, made it look easy and went gate to wire to win by six lengths in 1:55.1. Chris Page drove the daughter of Downbytheseaside for trainer Ron Burke.
Wax Tooth Randy took the pocket trip and reeled in the 7-5 favourite Bay City Babe around the final turn and pulled away to win by two lengths in 1:55.3. Trevor Smith drove Fear The Dragon filly, a 12-1 longshot, for trainer Todd Luther.
In the third division, 1-2 favourite Carmen N The Devil took the lead at the quarter pole and hung on down the stretch to hold off a hard-charging The Dragon Queen by a head in 1:57.4. Tyler Smith drove the daughter of Well Said for trainer Dustin Arledge.
Seaside Baby and Trevor Smith raced to the lead off the gate and led the entire way, fighting off a late charge from Scenic Adventure to win the fourth division by a length in 1:57.3. The Downbytheseaside filly is trained by Todd Luther.
In the fifth division, Billy Davis Jr. and Racing For Three sat in fourth place through the first half and then made a move down the backstretch, catching the favorite Vintage Memories around the final turn. The Western Terror filly pulled away to win by two lengths in 1:55.4 for trainer AJ Carlo.
In the final division, Davis and Hill Of A Night took the lead just before the first quarter pole and cruised to a two-length victory in 1:55.4. Herman Hagerman trains the daughter of Racing Hill.
Tyler Smith entered Sunday needing just two wins to reach another milestone in his career. In town to drive in the Buckeye Stallion Series, he scored a victory aboard Carmen N The Devil (Well Said-Mcdance Desire) and in the evening's finale aboard Lancaster Hill.
Smith wasted no time taking the lead with Lancaster Hill, leaving the gate alertly heading into the first turn. The field was in straight alignment at the opening quarter of :26.3, but Smith had a handful of horse and caught a :29 breather at the half in :55.3. Heading to the three-quarter pole in 1:23.1, Toot Toot N and Slater were his closest pursuers, but Smith asked Lancaster Hill for more, and he responded, opening up by two lengths on his rivals. Lancaster Hill drew off in the stretch, winning by 4-1/4 lengths in 1:51, defeating Drew The Dragon and Just Bookem.
Lancaster Hill set a new lifetime mark in his 10th career score with the victory. He has $145,140 in career earnings for owner Elliot Deaton and trainer Ryan Deaton.
Smith is quickly approaching yet another milestone, as he has just shy of $40 million in career earnings.
Buckeye Stallion Series action continues Monday night (July 11) at MGM Northfield Park with six divisions of two-year-old colt pacers taking the track. Each division will carry a purse of $17,500. First race post time is 6 p.m. (EDT).
(With files from OHHA and Northfield Park)