Buckeye Stallion Series Leg Contested

Published: July 14, 2020 02:42 pm EDT

The first leg of the Buckeye Stallion Series for two-year-old colts and fillies was held at MGM Northfield Park on Monday night (July 13).

A total of 117 two-year-old pacers competed in seven colt divisions and six filly divisions. Each division carried a purse of $17,500.

On the colt side of the ledger, two youngsters remained undefeated. Twig, who is a gelded son of Mr Apples, collected his second win in as many starts, as he took a lifetime mark of 1:53.3, which was the fastest win time of the night. The freshman was three-wide at the quarter before taking the lead and winning by three and a half lengths. Aaron Merriman drove for trainer Mike Polhamus and owner Julie Farley. Polhamus picked up his second winner on the colt side when Brighter Days, driven by Kurt Sugg, went wire to wire in 1:55.2 and won by three and three-quarter lengths. The gelded son of Woodstock is now undefeated after two lifetime starts.

Imagine It, by If I Can Dream, made it three straight wins in four lifetime starts. Driver Peter Wrenn got away fourth before taking the lead going to the half and drawing away by two and three-quarter lengths in a lifetime-best 1:54.3. Kurt Wilcox trains for owner Richard Copp.

Other colt winners include: Illini Duke, by Well Said, in 1:56.3 for Chris Page and owner-trainer Brian Roebuck; Hes A Dickens, by Well Said, in 1:55.2 for Tyler Smith, Kris Hinchcliff and owner Elliot Misshula; KB Mac, by McArdle, in 1:55.3 for Ryan Stahl, Dan Venier and owners Ken and John Saunders; Weekend Pass, by Big Bad John, in 1:55.2 for Dan and Christi Noble for owners Brent Hopper, Kyle Gray and Jerry Scheve.

The fillies were led by Apple Soozy with Andy Shetler for trainer Dan O’Mara and owner Marjorie Polhamus in 1:55.1. The Mr Apples filly is a perfect three for three after a two-hole trip turned in to a one and three-quarter-length win. Another winner for the driver/trainer/owner combination was Rainy Day Chic, by Rockin Amadeus, in 1:55.3 (she went wire to wire and won by three quarters of a length. She is now two for three lifetime.

Smothastenesewisky is now two for two in lifetime starts with the win in 1:54.3 with Chris Page. Brian Haynes owns and trains the daughter of Nob Hill High, who got away fifth and took command before the half. She drew away and won by six and a quarter lengths.

The fastest of the six divisions for the fillies was won by Heavenissofaraway, who came home the winner in 1:54.1 with Chris Page for owner-trainer Anette Lorentzon. The daughter of Racing Hill went coast to coast and won by two and a half lengths.

Other winners were Margin Of Error, by Racing Hill, in 1:57.4 with Ronnie Wrenn Jr for Chris Beaver (the owners are Donald Robinson, Chris Beaver, David Meola and RBH Ventures). Free Thinker, by Western Vintage, in 1:54.4 with Chris Page for Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Jason Melillo, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby and Weaver Bruscemi.

The second leg of the two-year-old pace for colts and fillies is scheduled for Thursday, July 23 at Eldorado Scioto Downs.

(Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association)

Have something to say about this? Log in or create an account to post a comment.