Northfield Park hosted five divisions of Ohio Sires Stake racing action as part of Friday evening’s 14-race program, with two-year-old filly trotters competing in three divisions and filly pacers in the other two.
Chris Page was the stakes driving star of the night with three OSS victories. Dan Noble and Tony Hall also piloted a stakes winner.
The trotters took to the stage in Race 1 and Rose Run Princess (Trainforthefuture-Cinder Char-Striking Sahbra) bested her competition by a nose in the final strides to win the $30,000 first division.
The race was Rose Run Princess’ second win in three lifetime starts. Northfield Park leading driver Chris Page piloted the filly for trainer Devan Miller and owners James Keller of New Carlisle, Ohio and Jerry Allen of Tipp City, Ohio.
Rose Run Princess started from post six and sat third through an opening quarter of :30. Page tipped the freshman first-over and she remained there though middle factions of 1:02.2 and 1:32.3. Rose Run Princess overcame the tough trip to win by a nose in 2:02.2. Finishing behind Rose Run Princess were Maes Perfect Storm, Cookie N Ice Cream, Dellou, Emilenes Future and Hush Hush Chip. Rose Run Princess was the favourite and returned $3.60 to win.
Paydaze On The Way (Look Sharp-Shantytown Girl-Towners Big Guy) took the $30,000 first division for two-year old filly Ohio-bred pacers for trainer Mike Conklin in the evening’s second race. Paydaze On The Way started from post three and was fourth through an initial fraction of :28.2. Driver Dan Noble pulled the filly first-up through times of :58.4 and 1:27.2. Paydaze On The Way drafted in the pocket through the final turn before taking the lead in the stretch and finishing 1 ¼-lenths ahead of the competition, stopping the timer in 1:56.
This race marked the filly’s second career start and first win. She was the runner-up in her career debut. Completing the race were Crown Time Keeper, R Spunky Girl, Fayco Filly, Ataway Samantha and Friskies Angel. Paydaze On The Way paid $3.00 to win.
The trotters were scheduled next and Anniesbluejeanbaby was an impressive winner in Race 3, capturing the $30,000 second division. Tony Hall drove the filly for trainer Wes Hershberger and Chagrin Falls, Ohio owner Walter Callam. Anniesbluejeanbaby (Full Count-Sunland Annabell-Armbro Laser) started from post four. Hall sent the filly straight to the lead and never looked back. She posted fractions of :30.2, 1:01.2, 1:32.2 and 2:01.4. She was an easy winner by 5-3/4-lengths.
The race was the first win in two lifetime starts for Anniesbluejeanbaby. Finishing in succession after the winner were OIM Bad, Emery Jean, Iron Princess, Rockin H Marsha K and Hurricane Honey. Anniesbluejeanbaby was the punters’ choice and returned $3.60 to win.
Trotters returned in Race 5 for the $30,000 third division, and In The Grippers (Steven One-Over Baked-Overcomer) led every step through well-rated fractions of :31.1, 1:02.3, 1:33 and 2:03.1. The filly is owned by Herres Stable LLC of Bellbrook, Ohio. Virgil Morgan Jr. called upon Chris Page to drive.
In The Grippers, never challenged, won by 2 ¾-lengths. In The Grippers remains undefeated, now with two career victories in as many starts. She was followed home by Greased, Mclean, MJs Victory Jody, Surebecoolifudid and Dohooray. Turbochargedroxie did not finish. In The Grippers was paid $3.00 to win.
The final Ohio Sires Stake race of the evening was Race 6, the $30,000 second division for two year-old filly pacers. Spiffy Sam left from post five and held off all competition through fractional times of :28.3, :58.3, 1:27.3 and 1:57.4. Driver Chris Page asked Spiffy Sam (Nobleland Sam-Spiffy Cruiser-Yankee Cruiser) for more in the stretch and she dug in gamely, narrowly holding off the favourite.
She is owned by Sheila Hummel of Mansfield, Ohio, Mark Williams of Pickerington, Ohio, along with Steven Carter of Londonderry, Ohio, who also trains. This marked her third win in six starts this year. Following Spiffy Sam were Rosy Fire, Nancys Stitches, Baby Slider, Pretty Dreamboat, Friskie Six and APP Panda. Spiffy Sam was a mild upset winner, returning $15.40 to win.
(Northfield Park)