With nearly $2.5 million in purse money being distributed over a 16-race card, the richest night of racing in Northeast Ohio’s history is on tap Sunday night, Sept. 1, featuring a series of $300,000 races which will decide eight Ohio Sires Stake (OHSS) champions.
Three champions from last year–Only Take Cash, now a three-year-old trotting filly, Queen Of The Pride, a three-year-old pacing filly, and Wittyville, a three-year-old trotting colt–are back to defend their crowns.
Three of Sunday’s participants–Its Academic and Exhibit Class, both freshman trotting colt, and Elver Hanover, a juvenile pacing gelding–are putting perfect four-for-four OHSS leg victories on the line.
Here is a look at the eight championship races:
Two-Year-Old Trotting Fillies
Division-leader Uncle Peters Love, a winner of three of her four OHSS legs, and driver Brett Miller will be performing for different connections this time around. She went through the auction ring on Tuesday at the Blooded Horse Sale in Springfield, Ohio, where the gavel dropped at $95,000 for new owners Carl Howard and Joyce Mc Clelland.
Globetrotting is the morning-line favourite for Canadian ownership Thestable Globetrotting. Driver Anthony MacDonald is traveling south to the U.S to drive. MacDonald is confident that this is one of, if not the best, fillies in North America and plans on starting her in the Breeders Crown next month.
Two-Year-Old Pacing Fillies
Mcmarkle Sparkle is the division leader with three wins and a third in her four OHSS outings. She appears to be the one to beat entering off consecutive wins for owners Laura and Paul Baker, trainer Jim Arledge Jr. and driver Brett Miller.
Two-Year-Old Colt Trotting Colts
Its Academic and Exhibit Class have won all four of their OHSS races this year. Its Academic is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Joe Sbrocco and Hatfield Stables for trainer Ron Burke and driver Chris Page. Exhibit Class starts for owner Marion Beachy, trainer Sean Smithpeters and driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr.
Two-Year-Old Pacing Colts
This final is shaping up to be a nail-biter as undefeated Elver Hanover takes on world-record holder Ocean Rock. Although there appear to be two heavyweights in here, this is far from a two-horse race. Elver Hanover is a perfect five-for-five for owners Burke Racing Stable, B Jablonsky, J Melillo and J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby. Trainer Ron Burke calls upon Chris Page to drive. Ocean Rock just posted a scintillating 1:51.1 world record performance for owner Sandra Burnett and trainer-driver Dan Noble.
Three-Year-Old Trotting Fillies
Only Take Cash was the freshman OHSS Champion last year. She won two OHSS legs this year and posted a second and a third, making her the points leader moving into this final. Trainer Robert McIntosh conditions for Canadian owners Robert McIntosh Stables, Dave Boyle and Mardon Stables. Aaron Merriman will drive. Only Take Cash has three-straight victories leading up to this event.
Back Splash attracts Canadian James MacDonald. She is dual eligible to both Ohio and Kentucky and enters this championship off a second and third place finish in Kentucky Sires Stakes competition.
Three-Year-Old Pacing Fillies
Queen Of The Pride is the defending champion filly in here. She is the divisional leader again this year, winning three of the four legs leading up to this Championship event. Kevin Lare conditions for owner Frank Chick. Tony Hall is listed to drive. This filly already has earnings in excess of $500,000 and hopes to add another $150,000 to her bankroll.
Three-Year-Old Trotting Colts
Wittyville was the freshman colt trotting champion last year. He drew the rail for this year’s championship, but enters ranked fifth in points with a first, third and two fifths in his four OHSS efforts. Chris Page drives for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
Lane Of Stone has won eight of nine races this year, including three OHSS victories. He is divisional leader for owner Harry Horowtz, trainer Mark Winters Sr. and driver Jeff Nisonger. Although Otsego was seventh in points, he did not enter this final, leaving room for Voyage To Paris. He won his most recent race over the Flying Turns for driver Dan Noble.
Three-Year-Old Pacing Colts
The Super Night finale offers Rock Candy as the divisional leader. He finished second and seventh in OHSS legs after winning the first two. Trainer Brian Brown conditions for the owning partnership of County Club Acres, Joe Sbrocco and Richard Lombardo. Ronnie Wrenn Jr. will do the driving. He added Lasix in his most recent race and should improve in his return effort.
Yankee Boots is the 9-5 morning-line favourite for trainer Steve Carter and owners P Carter, C. Grubbs, S. Carter and J. Whitacre. Dan Noble will drive this colt who is second in points, winning both of his most recent legs. The sophomore faced open competition and finished fourth in the $400,000 Carl Milstein Memorial on Aug. 10 at Northfield Park.
In addition to watching the very best of Ohio racing, Sunday’s patrons will be offered a $20,000 guaranteed Pick-4 pool starting in the seventh race and a $30,000 Pick-4 guaranteed pool beginning in the eleventh race. The Pick-4’s offer a low 14-percent takeout rate.
(Northfield Park)