Currently fourth in two-year-old earnings as a trotting sire in North America, Ready For Moni's progeny swept the three $68,493 divisions of the Ohio Sires Stakes (OHSS) for freshman colt-and-gelding trotters on Wednesday, July 23 at MGM Northfield Park.
Water Slide (Aaron Merriman), the first part of a Chris Beaver training double in the OHSS, broke his maiden during Wednesday’s first division in front-end fashion.
Favourite Rose Run Boom (Brett Miller) and Eleven Bang Bang (Trevor Smith) were quickest into stride approaching the first turn. As they entered the backstretch, Rose Run Boom took over the lead, while Eleven Bang Bang was guided back into fourth position behind Where Theres Smoke (Justin Irvine). The lead for Rose Run Boom was short-lived, however as he made a break, allowing pocket-sitting Water Slide to inherit the front before the :29.3 first quarter.
Water Slide created a 2-3/4-length cushion through a :59.4 half with pressure coming in the form of Bitcoin King (Tyler Smith), who began a first-over bid for the lead at that point. Bitcoin King got within a length of the leader, but at three-quarters in 1:29, Merriman asked Water Slide for more, and he took off, repelling his rivals. Through the stretch, Water Slide was confidently handled by Merriman, winning by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:58.1. Eleven Bang Bang closed to be second, while Bitcoin King held on for third.
Owned by trainer Beaver, Michael Carter, Barry Carter, and the VIP Internet Stable LLC, Water Slide, out of Above The Clouds, pushed his career earnings to $52,829 in four starts. The gelding was a $50,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale purchase. He returned $7.40 to his backers.
Special Moni (Tyler Smith) rebounded from his break in leg one of the OHSS, trudging first-over to take the third division and give Beaver a stakes double.
With a pair of breakers early, Ur Ride Is Here (Brady Brown) hustled off the gate, duelling with Emerald Tom (Anthony MacDonald) around the first turn. Entering the backstretch, Ur Ride Is Here was able to clear Emerald Tom and got to the quarter in a blistering :28.4. Brown was able to work out a :30.3 second quarter with longshot Ur Ride Is Here to a :59.2 half, but that was all the breather he was going to get.
Special Moni was sent to the outside with heavy favourite Rose Run Banker (Chris Page) on his back second-over. While the outer flow gradually advanced, Ur Ride Is Here proved strong on the lead, getting to three-quarters in 1:28.2. Through the stretch, Ur Ride Is Here gave way, and Special Moni stormed to the front before holding off a surging Rose Run Banker by a nose in 1:58.3. Ur Ride Is Here dug in to be third.
Special Moni broke his maiden in his second start for owners Beaver, Spaaaartners, and Tim Homan. The gelding, out of Special Invitation, increased his career earnings to $34,247 with victory. He went for $36,486 at the Ohio Selected Yearling Sale. His win price was $28.80.
Beaver also won a conditioned event with Beckon ($4.60) in the opener, giving him a training triple on the 16-race card. The conditioner has tallied 63 wins so far this season, good for a win rate of 16.9 per cent.
Ready Russell (Dan Noble) got a ground-saving trip in the second division and capitalized, winning decisively in 1:56.4.
Max The Mighty (Merriman) left the hardest, quickly clearing rivals entering the first turn. As the field entered the backstretch, Come N Get Me (Chris Page), who had angled his way into the pocket, made a break. The miscue allowed Ready Russell to grab the second spot before a :29.1 first quarter.
With the field in straight alignment, Max The Mighty took his lead to the half unopposed in :59.1. After the three-quarters in 1:28, Noble tipped Ready Russell to the outside to take his shot at Max The Mighty. The pair duelled to the top of the stretch, but Ready Russell proved to be too good, drawing away to win by 4-3/4 lengths. Max The Mighty was a clear second with Pump Action (Irvine) third.
Ready Russell, a $50,000 Ohio Selected Yearling Sale purchase, is owned by Jeff Fought Racing, Brian Carsey, and David Fought. Trained by Deborah Swartz, the talented gelding out of Fortheloveoflindy is now undefeated in three starts and has $76,713 in career earnings. He paid $2.40 to win.
There were five $27,397 Buckeye Stallion Series divisions for two-year-old pacing fillies also contested during the 16-dash card. Queen Valerie (1:57; $4.60) kicked off the winners for driver Chris Page and trainer Ron Burke, Seaside Angel (1:55.1; $4.80) then connected for Page and a different Ron -- trainer Ron Steck. Rhodena Blue (1:57; $16.80) was the longest priced winner of the group with Aaron Merriman up for trainer Neil MacInnis. Lil Keisha (1:57.1; $5.60) provided a double in BSS action for Page and Burke, with the stakes divisions capped by Eyes Up in the fastest split (1:54.4; $2.40) for driver Dan Noble and trainer Deborah Swartz.
Live racing is set to resume at Northfield Park on Saturday, July 26, featuring a 19-race Summit County Fair program that gets underway at 5:15 p.m.
(With files from Northfield Park)