Sectionline Yankee and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. equalled the track record of 1:50.4 for aged pacing mares in a $15,000 conditioned event on Friday night at Scioto Downs, stealing the spotlight from the freshman Ohio Breeders Stakes competitors.
Sectionline Yankee is a five-year-old mare by Yankee Cruiser out of Aquatic Yankee and now shares the track record with Betterluvnexttime and Camille. She's trained by Steve Bauder for Harold L. Bauder, Michael Dixon and Harold Lee Bauder.
The mare started from post 10 in the full field of 10 and got away an early fifth. Wrenn didn't sit for very long. They were out and pressing on before the half that was paced in :54.2. The pair eventually cleared in the stretch and paced three and a half lengths clear from the rest of the field. My Hare Lady followed her first over bid to secure second and Ride A Cowboy had a late kick to grab third.
Two-year-old pacing filly Bell Flower drew off in her division of Ohio Breeders Stakes to win in 1:56. The perfect filly extended her winning streak to four after wiring her field of eight for the $26,200 bounty.
The filly is by Fly Fly Buckeye out of Our Lady Countess. She's conditioned by Jim Arledge Jr. for Bruce and Patricia Soulsby.
Bell Flower was driven by leading reinsman Chris Page and started from post three in the field of eight. Page wasted no time driving to front, and after an easy second quarter of :30.4, the pair was home free. Bell Flower cruised to a five and a quarter length victory. Friskie Devil rallied for place and Zoeys Lemon Tart completed the trifecta.
Dark Roast began her own streak with her second consecutive win in a career-best effort of 1:59.1.
The two-year-old filly by Full Count out of Edens Mardi Gras is trained by Ohio native Marty Wollam for Acadia Farms Inc. and G And B Racing.
Kurt Sugg had the driving assignment from post one in the field of seven and was unhurried in the early going. The pair got away an early third and were content to sit until just past the half that was trotted in :59.4. Sugg pulled the right line and the filly responded, driving five and three-quarter lengths clear of her foes to claim the winner's share of the $16,600 prize. Soaring Flight was second and Countthechip was third.
Sunrise Nibbles remains undefeated after winning in her $16,600 division of Ohio Breeders Stakes in a career-best 1:58.1.
Sunrise Nibbles is a daughter of Iron Duke by Sweethomeourbama. She's trained by Chris Beaver, who co-owns with the Toronto-based Synerco Ventures Inc., Steven Zeehandelar and David Lang.
Regular driver Page had the lines starting from post five in the scratched down field of six. Page left hard for command before relinquishing the top spot to Bet On Chip. Bet On Chip tripped the half timer in :58.3 and Page couldn't wait any longer. He gave the filly her command before they hit the three-quarters and it was all over but the picture. Page and Sunrise Nibbles drew clear by seven and a half lengths over Like Old Times with Student Of Life third.
Neelys Messenger and Marty Wollam were victorious in the $26,800 Ohio Breeders Stakes for two-year-old trotting colts in 1:59.
Neelys Messenger is a son of Neely Dunn out of Fun Message. He's trained by Wollam for Dale and Julie Sweet.
He started from post two in the scratched down field of eight. Wollam used the inside post to his advantage and never looked back. After catching a :31 second quarter breather, it was their race to win or lose. They defeated their company by two and a quarter lengths after trotting a final quarter in :28.2. I Know My Chip was second-best and Chips Starr was a late-closing third.
Nobles Finesse and Dan Noble capped the night off with an easy 1:57 victory in his $26,400 division.
Nobles Finesse is a two-year-old son of Feelin Friske out of Lady Lonesome. He's recently moved in to the Kurt Sugg Stable for the connections of Dean Davis, Joyce McClelland, Deborah Noble and Dan Noble.
Nobles Finesse started from post four in the field of six and Noble wasted no time getting the colt to the front. He paced the opening quarter in :28.4, but caught a :30.2 second quarter breather. Noble felt some first over pressure as they headed to the three-quarters from Nashville Bound. Nobles Finesse turned the challenge away and won by one and a half lengths over Ollie Pop with RC Friskie closing for third.
Ohio Breeders Stakes action continues on Saturday (August 9). Post time is 6:30 p.m.
(With files from Scioto Downs)