Allnight Miki highlighted the Buckeye Stallion Series action at MGM Northfield Park on Sunday night (July 3) as she went gate to wire to win for the third time in the series.
In the first of five $17,500 divisions, Aaron Merriman took Allnight Miki, the 1-5 favourite, to the lead and held off a hard-charging She Means Business and Billy Davis Jr. to win by a head in 1:52.4. Trained by Tim Twaddle, the daughter of Downbytheseaside earned her sixth win of the year in 11 starts. The victory boosted Allnight Miki’s career earnings to $108,707. She Means Business finished second with Ocean Music third.
In the second division, Catamaran, the 6-5 favourite, raced to the lead and cruised to an easy victory in a new lifetime mark of 1:52. Greg Grismore drove the Downbytheseaside filly for trainer Ron Burke to her second Stallion Series win. The win was Catamaran’s third of the year and raised her seasonal earnings to $30,800. Mermaid By The Sea and Osceola Hanover rounded out the top three.
In the third division, Grismore and Burke teamed up again as Coastal dropped down from the Ohio Sires Stakes ranks to win in a new lifetime mark of 1:52.2. The 6-5 favourite sat patiently in the fourth spot before going three-wide down the backstretch, grabbing the lead around the final turn and pulling away to win by 2-3/4 lengths. The win was the second of the year for the daughter of Downbytheseaside and lifted her seasonal earnings to $42,455. Factory Girl was second with Party Cruiser third.
In the fourth division, When You Kiss Me went gate to wire for an easy 3-3/4-length victory in 1:53.2. Tyler Smith drove the Arthur Blue Chip filly for his father, trainer Jeff Smith. When You Kiss Me has hit the board in 12 of 13 races with six wins, earning $56,875 this year. Fear Our Fayth finished second with Bittrsweetsymphony third.
In the final division, the duo of Grismore and Burke teamed up for their third BSS win of the night as Fantasy Life held on down the stretch to win in 1:52.4. The Downbytheseaside filly registered her third win in eight starts this year and lifted her seasonal earnings to $41,825. Parkland Unique was second with Tootsies Dreamhill third.
The Buckeye Stallion Series for the three-year-olds resumes on Sunday, July 24 when the colt pacers take to the track at MGM Northfield Park.
The first division of two-year-olds begins on Sunday, July 10 at MGM Northfield Park with filly pacers in action.
(With files from Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)