Driver Cameron McCown and trainer Chris Beaver swept both $15,000 splits of the Buckeye Stallion Series for two-year-old trotting fillies on Tuesday (July 24) at the Lake County Fair in Painesville, Ohio.
McCown, who won three of the day's seven races, took the $6,000 opener with two-year-old pacing filly Always Be Special for Joe Paver, coming from last at the half in 2:01.4. Trainer Paver shares title to the daughter of The Panderosa with Pearl and Dennis Paver.
In the first Buckeye Stallion split, McCown moved Ilianora first-up at the 1:04.1 half and rolled home in 1:01.3 to hold off Foolmegypsy by a head in 2:05.4. Ladycallstheshots was third. Illianora, a Broadway Hall filly, is co-owned by her breeder, Sandra Burnett. She won for the second time in four starts and has now banked $10,558 in her young racing career.
McCown was back in the winner's circle in the second Buckeye Stallion heat, as he steered Wishing Stone filly Precious Diamond to a stalking 2:08.2 win. Precious Diamond sat in the pocket and capitalized when leader Twentyfour K Magic made a break rounding the final turn. She held off a hard-charging Supreme Lady to pick up her first career win. Dakota Dawne, yet another Beaver trainee, finished third. Beaver co-owns Precious Diamond with the Ohio trio of James Gallagher, Mark Schwartz and Steven Zeehandelar.
(Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)