Eight $40,000 Ohio Sires Stakes contests for freshman trotters of both genders kicked off the holiday weekend at Northfield Park. Harness racing fans got their first glimpse of Ohio’s future stars with five divisions for fillies and three divisions for colts and geldings.
As expected, Randy Bendis’ Swizzle Hanover captured the first division for fillies easily for Mike Wilder in 1:57.1. The daughter of Uncle Peter, out of Seducedbychocolate left the gate as the 5-2 choice and prevailed in the stretch over the determined Incomeorexpenses (Tyler Smith) and Celebrate With Me (Kurt Sugg).
The victory was the first for Swizzle Hanover who previously scored two winning qualifiers at The Meadows on June 11 and 25.
In the second OSS trotting filly division More Spirit (2-1) led from start to finish for driver Kurt Sugg and trainer Charlie Myrick. Bred by Dublin Valley Farm, the daughter of Southwind Spirit captured her first career start handily in 1:59.3, four lengths in front of Magic Credit Card (Aaron Merriman), with Miss Meringue (Anthony MacDonald) third.
Owned by the Second Chance Stable, More Spirit is the first foal out of the Credit Winner mare Amor Deo.
Herculisa lived up to her name as she posted an impressive 1:58.1 clocking in the third OSS filly trotting division with Brett Miller at the controls. Trained by Virgil Morgan, Jr., the My MVP lass left the gate at 4-5 odds and once on top, never looked back. Owned by the Jesmeral Stable, Herculisa bested formidable rivals in Merry Ann (Chris Page), who was second, and Momma Knows Best (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.) third.
The heavily favoured (3-5) Chip It In got up in the final strides for Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., to best the hard trying Trumpeter Swan (Brett Miller) to win the fourth OSS trotting filly division in 1:58.2. Chris Beaver trains the daughter of Break The Bank K for Beaver, Meola, Robinson and RBH Ventures. Beaver’s other trainee, 6-1 Ozma (Aaron Merriman) was a determined third.
A Doll Face looked every bit the part of her name as she cruised to a 1:59.4 victory in the final OSS division for two-year-old trotting fillies. Trainer Kayne Kauffman was in the sulky behind the 8-5 daughter of Dontyouforgetit who is owned by Doug Millard. Irish Princess closed sharply for Aaron Merriman, while My Jazz (Anthony MacDonald) trotted solidly to be third.
In the first of the three OSS colt trotting divisions it was all Spyder The Striker (7-2) taking home first prize in 1:56.3 for driver Aaron Merriman. Trained and co-owned by Chris Beaver for C. Beaver, L. Fleming and Vip Internet, the son of Uncle Peter—Elana-San Pellegrino looked much the best after having scored two winning qualifiers—the first at Delaware and the second at Northfield prior to this test. Admiral Allstar (9-2) was second for Kurt Sugg, while 5-1 Replica Hanover was third for Tyler Smith.
In the second OSS trotting division for males, it was 3-5 Shouldaknownbetter (Chris Page), a Deep Chip gelding owned and trained Shane Arsenault, who made his second career victory in as many tries look effortless. Tango With Me was second for Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., while Street Gossip put forth an impressive effort for trainer-driver Roger Hughes, Jr., to nab third-place money.
Shouldaknownbetter—who qualified at Woodbine on June 12 and then trotted to 1:57 in his pari-mutuel debut—now has $25,550 in career earnings.
Perron proved to be much the best as the 6-5 favourite for driver Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., in the final OSS division for trotting colts and geldings, stopping the timer in 1:58.4. The son of My MVP is trained by Chris Beaver for Steve Stewart, Paul Kelly Racing, Black Creek Farm and V. Wagler and was making his pari-mutuel debut. Panzano got up to be second for Brett Miller with Fire Cross third for Kayne Kauffman.
Ohio Sires Stakes action continues Saturday night, July 4 at Scioto Downs with one division for three-year-old pacing fillies.
(Ohio Standardbred Development)