Three freshman colt trotters scored their first career wins in the second leg of the Ohio Sires Stakes at Eldorado Scioto Downs Friday (July 29).
In the first of the three $40,000 divisions, Kurt Sugg raced Jet Hill off the gate, grabbing the lead and never looking back. Jet Hill, the second choice at 2-1, set the pace with fractions of :28.2, :58.2, and 1:27.4 before opening up in the final turn to pull away and win by two lengths in 1:56.3.
The win was the first of the year for the What The Hill gelding. Edward Miller trains Jet Hill (pictured above) for the Serenity Racing Stables. John Dutton, the 1-2 favourite, finished second with Asian Zing third.
In the second division, The Buckeye Hill won for the first time this year. Ronnie Wrenn Jr. took the pocket trip with the son of What The Hill sitting behind the favourite No More Sweets. As the field turned for home The Buckeye Hill shot down the passing lane hitting the wire first in 1:59.4.
The Buckeye Hill is trained by Chris Beaver and is owned by Beaver, Leo Fleming, Tim Homan, and Moger-Delia Racing. Rose Run Yowza was second with Remis Rolls Royce finishing third.
In the final division, Black Magic, the even money favourite who was looking to stay perfect on the year, raced to the lead covering the half mile in :59.4. Just past the half mile pole A Real Legend and Don Irvine Jr. kicked it in gear and took aim at the leader.
A Real Legend reeled in Black Magic halfway up the backstretch. The two went stride-for-stride into the final turn before A Real Legend pulled into the lead and held on to win by a length in 1:57.2.
Rosie Weaver trains and co-owns the Uncle Peter gelding with Heartland Acres. Black Magic finished second with Sunrise Hill third.
Ohio Sires Stakes action continues Saturday night at MGM Northfield Park when two divisions of two-year-old colt pacers do battle. First race post time is 6:00 p.m.
(Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association / OHHA)