When the bright lights of the Ohio Sires Stakes are shining, Racing Rampage is at his best. The freshman colt pacer made it two in row in OHSS action on Saturday night (July 30) at MGM Northfield Park, winning the second of two $55,000 divisions.
At the start, Jason Thompson took Burnout to the lead, covering the first quarter in :26.3 and the half in :55.1.
Aaron Merriman sat third with the 4-5 favourite Raging Rampage before making his move just past the half-mile mark. Merriman pulled the Racing Hill gelding and charged up the backstretch, pulling even with the leader entering the final turn.
As the two turned for home, Racing Rampage grabbed the lead and drew away to win by three lengths in a new lifetime mark of 1:51.2. Burnout held on for second, while The Real Way finished third.
Darren Dowler trains and co-owns Raging Rampage with Lawrence Bettler. Racing Rampage has won two of three starts this year and has earned $56,440.
In the other division, Rockmelikeyameanit was an easy winner. Billy Davis Jr. raced the son of McArdle to the front and never looked back, winning by two lengths in 1:52.3. Rockmelikeyameanit cut fractions of :27.3, :56.2 and 1:24 on the way to the victory for trainer Christi Noble. Boardwalk Jack finished second with Dragon Attack third.
The win was Rockmelikeyameanit’s first of the year in three starts and raised his earnings to $78,750. Rockmelikeyameanit is owned by Dennis Owens, Norman Rae Racing and James Morris.
Ohio Sires Stakes action resumes Aug. 13 at MGM Northfield Park with the third leg for sophomore colt trotters.
(OHHA)