The husband and wife team of Nick and Betty Clegg won a pair of $20,000 Buckeye Stallion Series races for two-year-old colt pacers on Wednesday night (July 5) at MGM Northfield Park. The pair scored with Somewhere Up and Cinderlane Cruiser to win two of the five divisions.
In the second division of the night, Perfect Paradise and Pierce Henry took the lead with Somewhere Up settling into the pocket. The two continued that way until the top of the stretch when Somewhere Up and Clegg made their move charging to the line to win by a length in 1:55.3. Trained and owned by Betty Clegg, the Lather Up colt, who has hit the board in all three starts, earned his first career win. Perfect Paradise was second with All Lathered Up third
The other Clegg win came in the final division of the night. Cinderlane Cruiser fired off the gate to take the early lead but gave way to Rainrock and settled into the pocket. Around the final turn, Rainrock drifted around the turn opening the inside lane for Clegg and Cinderlane Cruiser. They took advantage of the opportunity and shot down the inside to win by a length in 1:56.2. It was the first win for the son of Yankee Cruiser who is also owned by Betty Clegg. Rainrock finished second with Boysborntoboogie was third.
In the first division of the night, Seeuatthesmoke and Ryan Stahl blew away the field winning by six lengths in 1:53.4, the fastest time of the five divisions. Stahl raced the son of Racing Hill off the gate and never looked back in the easy victory. The win was the third in as many starts for Seeuatthesmoke, who is trained and owned by Michael Lee. Fondsea and Just Barley were second and third.
Mr Legend and Ronnie Gillespie also turned in a wire-to-wire performance to win the third division. The Bit Of A Legend N colt fought off a late surge from Legendary Noble to win by a head in 1:54.1. It was the second win in as many starts for the Gillespie trainee, who is owned by Susan Sickle. Legendary Noble was second with Stars Over Sidney third.
The fourth division of the night went to What An Ocean View and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. as the son of Downbytheseaside reeled in the leader to win in a photo in 1:57.2. As the field headed to the half-mile, Wrenn started to make his move with What An Ocean View, but it took a late surge in deep stretch to secure the victory in his first career start. What An Ocean View is trained by Ron Burke and owned by Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services, RAS Racing, and J&T Silva – Purnel & Libby. Bronx Drifter finished second with Dancin Scoot third.
Buckeye Stallion Series action continues on Friday night as five divisions of freshman filly pacers head to Eldorado Scioto Downs. First race post time is 5:50 p.m.
(Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)