The duo of driver Chris Page and trainer Ron Burke continued their domination of the freshman ranks of the Ohio Sires Stakes (OHSS) winning three of the four $68,493 divisions for filly trotters on Sunday, July 14 at MGM Northfield Park. The pair won four of five OHSS events on Saturday night at Eldorado Scioto Downs.
The first division was the only division of the four that Page and Burke did not win. Chris Lems raced Pretty Lil Penny off the gate to grab the lead but yielded to Chrome Trim and Elliott Deaton heading to the quarter. After a :29.3 opening quarter, Pretty Lil Penny retook the lead, where she stayed the rest of the way, winning easily by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:59.3 over a fast track. It was the first win in two career starts for Pretty Lil Penny. Scott Cox trains the daughter of Marseille for Jeremy Miller and Wayne Mast Jr. Chrome Trim was second while Move Over Boys and was third.
The first of Page and Burke’s three winners was with heavy favourite Rose Run Allison (pictured above). Leaving from the rail, Rose Run Allison went to the lead, cut the mile with fractions of :29.1, 1:00.1 and 1:29.2, and won by 6-1/4 lengths in 1:58.4 over the track downgraded to sloppy. It was the Long Tom filly’s first win in two starts. She is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Knox Services and Beasty. Roses Destiny finished second, Mia Sangria was third.
Page had a tougher time in the third division with Brink Street. Anthony MacDonald took Aunt Lilly three-wide around the first turn to take the lead. The Next Generation winner led through the first three-quarters with fractions of :28.4, :59.3, and 1:29. Aunt Lilly fought off a challenge from Dream Something and Kurt Sugg heading up the backstretch but could not hold off Brink Street and Page. Page swung the daughter of Long Tom three-wide around the final turn and reeled in the leader late in the stretch to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:59.1. It was the second win in as many starts for Brink Street. She is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Weaver Bruscemi and Knox Services. Sienna Sunrise finished second with Aunt Lilly fading to third.
The final division of the night was a replay of the previous division. MacDonald took Freedom Hill to the lead, holding the position until the final steps before the wire when Mocha Hill and Page used a final surge to win by a neck, stopping the timer in 1:58.4. Mocha Hill, a daughter of What The Hill, is now two-for-two to start her career for owners Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Weaver Bruscemi and Knox Services. Freedom Hill was second with Stars In My Crown finishing third.
Ohio Sires Stakes action continues on Monday night at Northfield Park with four divisions of two-year-old colt trotters going behind the gate. The first race post time is 6 p.m.
(With files from Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)