The second leg of Ohio Sires Stakes (OHSS) for two-year-old pacers was contested on Sunday, July 21 at MGM Northfield Park. Four $89,041 divisions were contested -- two for the colts and two for the fillies. Three of the four divisions were won by undefeated freshmen.
Odds On Hialeah stayed perfect in the first division for filly pacers. The daughter of Lather Up won by a neck from first-over in 1:54.3 to improve to three-for-three. Dan Noble drove the winner for trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. and Odds On Racing. Witching Blue Chip (Trevor Smith) was second with Queen Of Fear (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) third.
In the second division, Prolific Fire scored her first career victory in 1:57. Driven by Austin Hanners, the Catch The Fire filly set fractions in :27.2, :57.4 and 1:27.3 en route to the one-length victory. Todd Luther trains the three-time starter for Greg Luther Racing. Sectionline Flame (Noble) held on for second while Rose Run Ashlee (Chris Page) finished third.
Page and Ron Burke teamed up to take both divisions of freshman colt pacers.
Confident after wins in the Next Generation and the first OHSS leg at Scioto Downs, Swingtown (pictured above) scored impressively in 1:52.1. Page and the son of Downbytheseaside went charging to challenge the leaders while heading toward the half. Swingtown grabbed the lead and never looked back, scoring by 1-1/2 lengths over Pants On Fire (Wrenn) and My First Fire (Hanners). Remaining undefeated in three lifetime starts, the colt is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Knox Services and R A S Racing.
Rick Wink won the second division in 1:54.1 by 4-1/2 lengths. The Bit Of A Legend N colt briefly let the dust settle before Page urged him two-wide to take control. Rick Wink cruised across the finish line for an easy victory ahead of Spiritshappyending (Tyler Smith) and Fabio Hanover (Wrenn). The colt with three wins in as many tries is owned by Burke Racing Stable, R A S Racing, Knox Services and J&T Silva.
Ohio Sires Stakes action resumes on Wednesday, July 24 at Northfield Park with the second leg for two-year-old filly trotters.
(With files from Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)