Third leg action in the Buckeye Stallion Series (BSS) kicks off Sunday (July 3) at MGM Northfield Park as the sophomore filly pacers take the track. Five divisions of eight fillies will battle for a total of $87,500 with each race carrying a purse of $17,500.
In the first division, Allnight Micki (pictured) will look for her third win in Buckeyes Stallion Series action. The daughter of Downbytheseaside was a winner at Miami Valley Raceway on May 1 and Eldorado Scioto Downs on June 3. Aaron Merriman will drive the Tim Twaddle trainee. Allnight Micki has won five of 10 starts this year earning $55,050.
Also in the first division is Virgil Morgan Jr. trainee Bowery. Bowery was a winner in the second leg and has hit the board in seven of nine races this year. Mitchell Cushing will drive Bowery.
In the second division, Catamaran will look for her third win of the year and second in Buckeye Stallion Series action. The Downbytheseaside filly was a winner at Scioto Downs in the second leg. Greg Grismore will drive for trainer Ron Burke. The race favourite is Doobie Cruz. Trained by Melby Ober Jr. and driven by Chris Lems, the Mr Apples filly has won two of four this year and will be making her Stallion Series debut.
In the third division, two previous BSS winners — Factory Girl and Sleepwithoneyeopen — will square off. Factory Girl is trained by Steve Walters and will have Aaron Merriman driving. The daughter of Downbytheseaside has two wins this year has hit the board in six of eight races. Sleepwithoneyeopen has two wins and eight starts for trainer Clarence Foulk. Billy Davis Jr. will drive the Well Said filly.
Ron Burke trainee Coastal is the favourite in the third division. Coastal is making her first appearance in the Buckeye Stallion Series after dropping down from the Ohio Sires Stakes. Greg Grismore will drive Costal.
In the fourth division, When You Kiss Me is looking for her second Stallion Series win. The Arthur Blue Chip filly has hit board in all but one of her 12 starts, winning five. She was a winner in the first leg of the Stallion Series. Tyler Smith will drive the 8-5 favourite for his father Jeff Smith.
In the final division, Fear The Queen will look for her second win in the BSS. Kelly O’Donnell trains the Fear The Dragon filly who was a winner in the second leg. Chris Lems will drive. The race favourite at 5-2 is Mrs Teachey. Roy Murphy Jr. trains the Mr Wiggles filly, who has won five times in 17 starts. Aaron Merriman will be in the bike.
First race post time at MGM Northfield Park is 6 p.m.
(Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association)