Continuing her perfect season, Sugar Instead reasserted her dominance in the Ohio Sires Stakes (OHSS) division for sophomore trotting fillies on Wednesday evening, Aug. 21 at MGM Northfield Park.
Leaving from the fifth post position in the $136,986 fourth leg of the Sires Stakes, Sugar Instead and Brett Miller quickly settled into the pocket behind Jurassic Hattie (Kurt Sugg). Fractions to the half went in an easy :28.1 and :58.2. Miller confidently urged 1-5 bettors' choice Sugar Instead first-up at the 1:27 third quarter pole. The daughter of Volstead took control at the top of the stretch, cruising to a 4-3/4-length win in 1:55.2. Jurassic Hattie held on for second while Roxanna (Aaron Merriman) finished third.
Trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. and owned by Joyce McClelland and Larry Wills, Sugar Instead is now eight-for-eight in her three-year-old season. After missing the first round of the OHSS, the bay filly has earned victories in three subsequent legs. The win was her 15th lifetime, lifting her bankroll to $693,185 through 19 trips behind the gate.
OHSS continues on Saturday, Aug. 24 at Northfield with the fourth leg for three-year-old colt pacers. First race post is 6 p.m.
(With files from Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)