Racing Rampage kicked it into gear on the backstretch and pulled away for an easy win in the first Ohio Sires Stakes division of freshman colt and gelding pacers at MGM Northfield Park on Saturday night (July 16).
The son of Racing Hill set a North American season's mark for a two-year-old on a half-mile track winning in 1:51.4, three-fifths of a second off the freshman gelding world record.
Racing Rampage sat fifth as Seatoshiningsea grabbed the early lead, covering the first quarter in :27. Seatoshiningsea led at the half in :57, but Racing Rampage and Aaron Merriman were closing in on the leader. Racing Rampage grabbed the lead at the three-quarter pole in 1:24.1 and pulled away around the final turn to win by three lengths. Rockmelikeyameanit and Dan Noble finished second with Seatoshiningsea and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. third.
Darren Dowler trains and co-owns Racing Rampage with Lawrence Bettler. Racing Rampage has hit the board in both of his starts this year.
In the second division, sons of Downbytheseaside swept the top three spots.
The Real Way with Chris Page made it look really easy as he grabbed the lead at the quarter in :27.4 and never looked back, winning by four lengths in 1:52.2. Second-place went to Surfside Beach and Wrenn Jr. with Street Fightin Man and Billy Davis Jr. third.
Trained by Ron Burke and owned by the Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Knox Services, and Let It Ride Stables, The Real Deal has won both of his starts this year.
Ohio Sires Stakes action continues Sunday night with the two-year-old filly trotters. First race post time is 6 p.m.
(With files from Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association)