Sweet Valorie remained perfect in the Buckeye Stallion Series this season with a victory in the third leg for freshman filly trotters at Northfield Park on Sunday, Aug. 9.
Sweet Valorie, driven by Luke Hanners, won the third of six $27,778 divisions, leading gate to wire with fractions of :29.1, 1:00.1 and 1:29.3 en route to crossing the line in 1:59.1. The Volstead-Sweet Magnolia filly finished 1-3/4 lengths ahead of second-place Volonce Muscle (Justin Irvine) with Volnilla Cupcake (Sam Widger) third. Sweet Valorie is owned by trainer Karen and Jan Fread of Eighty Four, Pennsylvania. She has hit the board in all five seasonal starts with three wins — all in the Buckeye Stallion Series — along with one second and one third while banking $47,242.
Lady Martinique and Kayne Kauffman won by a neck over Dublins Missy (Chris Lems) in a lifetime-best 1:58.4 for her second seasonal Buckeye victory. Dublins Missy led at the first three calls in :28.4, :59.2 and 1:28.3. Pocket-pursuer Lady Martinique was in third place in the pocket entering the final stretch before edging Dublins Missy at the line. Been Thru Hill (Carson Conrad) finished third after her first-over trip. Lady Martinique is trained by Peter Foley and owned by Lynne Foley of Salvisa, Kentucky. The Marseille-Cavier N Chardoney filly now has two wins and two thirds in seven seasonal starts.
Sweet Stevie, trained and driven by Kurt Sugg, recorded the fastest mile of the six Buckeye races, winning by more than eight lengths in a lifetime mark of 1:57.1. The Global Republic S-Jogging Sweets filly recorded fractions of :29, :59.4 and 1:28.2 on the way to the blowout victory. She has hit the board in all five seasonal starts with two wins, one second and two thirds for owners Rebecca Sugg, Ashley Miller and Edward Miller of Polk, Ohio. Authenticity (Chris Lems) and Center Field Lady (Luke Hanners) rounded out the top three.
Rose Run Classy, On A Clear Day and Seven Lick Holiday won the remaining three divisions for their first career victories.
Rose Run Classy was another winner for driver Sugg, scoring by three-quarters of a length in 1:58.3. Ds Allison (Chris Lems) and Pink Magnolia (Jimmy Smith) rounded out the top three. Trainer Matthew Burkholder owns the Long Tom-Lady Kolette filly with Dark Horse Farm of Vienna, Ohio and Enos Miller of Hiram, Ohio.
On A Clear Day led gate to wire for her victory in 1:58.4 by 2-1/2 lengths in rein to Chris Lems. Indigo Times (Kanye Kauffman) was second followed by Ms Ladybug (Sandy Beatty) in third. The Ready For Moni-Blurred filly is trained by Vernon Beachy for owners 518 Group of New Philadelphia, Ohio, Gitup Racing of Garrettsville, Ohio, Ryan Smith of Dennison, Ohio and Todd’s Auto of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.
Seven Lick Holiday and Dan Noble were victorious by a quarter of a length in 1:58.4 with Wishinghallofchina (Sam Widger) and Volerina Girl (Aaron Merriman) rounding out the top three. The What The Hill-Radiant Beam filly is trained by Miles Wollam for owner Woodland Ridge Farm of Orwell, Ohio.
The Buckeye Stallion Series continues Monday, Aug. 10, with the third leg for freshman colt trotters and the second leg for freshman filly pacers at the Champaign County Fair in Urbana, Ohio. First-race post time for the 11-race card is 6:30 p.m.
(With files from Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)