The two-year-old filly pacer Bell Flower remains perfect on the season as the daughter of Fly Fly Buckeye cruised to victory in the $66,734 (div) Ohio Breeders Championship in opening day action at the Delaware County Fair.
When the wings of the gate folded, Chris Page sent Bell Flower to the early lead, forcing Friskie Lil Devil into the second spot. Bell Flower controlled the fractions of :28.2, :58.4 and 1:28.
As the leading pair headed past the three-quarter pole, Wrenn edged Friskie Lil Devil off the pylons to challenge the leader. Bell Flower responded and pulled away for a two and a quarter length victory in 1:56.4.
Bell Flower, who is seven-for-seven this year, is conditioned by Jim Arledge, Jr. for owners Bruce and Patricia Soulsby of Powell, Ohio and Dean Davis of Wooster, Ohio.
In the second $33,367 division, Crosswinds Cupcake survived a late rush by Sectionlinefriskie (Josh Sutton) to score in 1:57.1.
As the field of seven was sent on their way, Friskie Til Dawn (Aaron Merriman) was the fastest into the first turn. The eventual winner was put on the lead before the quarter in :28.3. Noble and Crosswinds Cupcake controlled the field and fractions of :59 and 1:27.3. In the final turn, Sectionlinefriskie came three-wide, but the rally came up one length short.
Crosswinds Cupcake is owned by Crosswinds Stable of Waynesville, Ohio and Stephen Young of Xenia, Ohio and trained by David Elliott. The daughter of Stand Forever has finished first or second in all six seasonal starts.
Sixteen races are on tap for Tuesday at the Delaware County Fair with a post time of 12:00 noon.
(Delaware County Fair)