Fire Cross notched his first career victory in a big way by taking the first of two $50,000 Ohio Sires Stakes for two-year-old trotting colts on Monday at Northfield Park.
The son of Triumphant Caviar scored his victory in a modest 1:58.1 with Chris Lems driving for trainer Ryan Miller and owners Miller Racing Stable, Horseplace Racing Stable, M. Hayes and Darmofal Racing Enterprises. The brown gelding left the gate at odds of 15-1, with 5-2 Replica Hanover (Tyler Smith) holding on for second and 25-1 Tango With Me (Aaron Merriman) picking up third place money.
Bred by Steve Stewart, Fire Cross was third in OSS Leg One and second in Leg Two and pushed his career earnings to $43,480 with this maiden victory. The doggedly determined trotter is the fifth foal out of the Muscles Yankee Classical Mary 3, 1:55.2 ($207,811) and is a full brother to Frasier Ridge 4, 1:52.1f ($522,479) and has half-siblings in Guy Fox (by Glidemaster) 4, 1:55.2f ($143,656) and Willoughby (by Dejarmbro) 4,Q1:58.3f ($25,749).
Panzano took the second OSS contest for driver Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., in 1:58.3, also making his first career win a stakes victory. The son of Coraggioso is trained by Chris Beaver for the Spaaaartners of Ballston Spa, NY. The bay gelding was the 11-1 choice, with 5-2 Street Gossip (Brett Miller) getting up for second and 16-1 Triple M Storm (Ryan Stahl) grabbing show honours.
Panzano now has $42,520 in career earnings from four starts, one win, a second and a third. He finished second in OSS Leg One and fifth in Leg Two. Bred by Christopher Coyle, he is the first foal out of the SJs Caviar mare Grace N Charlie 8, 1:55.4f ($225,830).
(OSDA)