Freshman fillies will kick off the Ohio State Fair Stakes at Eldorado Scioto Downs on Thursday, Aug. 1.
Twenty-four freshman trotting fillies will comprise three divisions, each carrying a purse of $55,335 USD. The field will represent 17 trainers and nine stallions. Uncle Peter and What The Hill will each have five daughters go behind the gate.
In the first division, Rose Run Allison (pictured above) is the 2-1 favourite. Trained by Ron Burke, the daughter of Long Tom has hit the board in each of her three lifetime starts. Rose Run Allison won the first leg of the Ohio Sires Stakes and placed second in the most recent leg. She has bankrolled $76,028 for owners Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Knox Services and Beasty.
Not to be overlooked in the first division, Travel Nurse is the third choice in the morning line at 7-2. The Enterprise filly is undefeated in the Buckeye Stallion Series. She holds the fastest lifetime mark of the field in 1:57.3. Virgil Morgan Jr. trains for Joyce McClelland.
At 7-5, Mocha Hill will look to stay perfect in the second division. She is three-for-three thus far in her career under Burke's care. After two wins in the Ohio Sires Stakes, the daughter of What The Hill has earned $75,343. Mocha Hill is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Weaver Bruscemi and Knox Services.
In the final division, Dream Something is the 2-1 favourite. The daughter of Uncle Peter was a recent upset winner in the second leg of the Ohio Sires Stakes. She has notched two victories in three lifetime starts, earning $45,616. Miles Wollam trains and co-owns alongside Julie Ann Sweet and Dale Sweet.
For pacing fillies, two $79,500 USD divisions will go forth. Eleven trainers will send 14 two-year-olds to the track. Six sires will be represented with Downbytheseaside having five offspring.
The Word Is Out is the 8-5 favourite in the first division. She won both the $205,479 Next Generation and first leg of the Ohio Sires Stakes. In three starts, the daughter of Well Said has a lifetime mark of 1:52.2. The Burke trainee has bankrolled $147,261 for Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services, Beasty and R A S Racing.
Racin Like A Star is the second choice in the first division at 3-1. The Racing Hill filly is undefeated in the Buckeye Stallion Series. She is one of the richest in the field with $28,713 in the bank. Steve Carter trains for Jeff Fought Racing, Adam Friedland and Hunter Holton.
In the second division, Queen Of Fear is the 3-2 favourite. The Edward Miller trainee has yet to score a victory but has amassed $84,315 in earnings. The daughter of Fear The Dragon placed second in the Next Generation with a third in the most recent Ohio Sires Stakes leg. Queen Of Fear is owned by Ashley Dunn and Miller.
Ohio State Fair Stakes action will be held Thursday as well as Friday, Aug. 2 and Saturday, Aug. 3. First race post is always 5:45 p.m.
(Ohio Harness Horsemen's Assocation)