Ohio Sires Stakes racing highlighted Northfield Park’s Friday (August 31) program during which two-year-old filly pacers and trotters squared off.
The fillies raced in their final leg of the 2012 juvenile match-ups, presenting their last chance to earn points for the Ohio Sires Stakes Championships. The championships will be held at Scioto Downs in Columbus on Saturday, September 8.
The trotters took to the stage in race one for the $17,000 first division. Contessa Leigh (Full Count-Howl-Overcomer) posted a gate-to-wire performance to win by one and a quarter length. The partnership of G&B Racing of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania and Patricia Wollam of Vienna, Ohio are the owners. Northfield Park Wall of Fame inductee, Marty Wollam, trains and drove the filly through quarters of :29.1, 1:01.1, 1:30.2 and 2:00. The victory was the third win in five starts for Contessa Leigh, who now has career earning of $29,824. Finishing behind the winner were Royal Fricassee, Diplomats Mistress, Ima Count and Whizzy Izzy. Contessa Leigh returned her backers $3 for a $2 win wager.
Trainer Marty Wollam’s barn struck again in race three, when Sheza Lavec (Master Lavec-Balmira CC-King Pine) took the $17,000 second division for two-year-old filly Ohio-bred trotters. Sheza Lavec started from post two and led her rivals from start to finish through fractions of :29.4, 1:01.2, 1:31.2 and 2:02.2. Kurt Sugg drove for owner Bob Troyer of Middlefield, Ohio. Sheza Lavec has six prior starts, but was winless entering tonight’s event. Tonight’s victory raises her earnings to $16,533. Completing the race were Look At Count, TTs Megapixel, Trainer Dunn, Tiffanys Victory and Pinehall Lady. Sheza Lavec paid $27.20 to win.
The final Ohio Sires Stake of the evening, race 10, was the $25,000 fourth leg for two-year-old filly pacers. Igottafeelinfran (Feelin Friskie-Fran Anna-Expensive Scooter) sat chilly through early fractional times of :29 and :58.1, before coming first over and brushing to the front. Igottafeelinfran tripped the three-quarter beam in 1:25.4 and held on to win by a neck in 1:56.3. Dan Noble drove Igottafeelingfran for owners Jerry Zosel of Columbus, Ohio, Kathy Ratcliff of Orient, Ohio and Kimberly Dailey of Mechanicsburg, Ohio. Jim Dailey trains Igottafeelingfran, who now has three career victories in seven lifetime starts and earnings of $40,200. Crossing the line after her was a hard-charging Cating Around, One Naughty Lady, Norma Jean, Cosswind Colleen, Always D Lady, Melissa L and Happy N Memphis. Pink Camo was scratched. Igottafeelinfran returned $3.80 to win.
(Northfield Park)