Freshman trotters were the main (mane?) attraction for Tuesday's card of harness racing at the Delaware County Fair.
Honey B and Kyle Ater scored a convincing victory in the $74,625 Ohio Breeders Championship for freshman filly trotters.
As the field of six was sent on their way, Honey B yielded to the fast leaving I’d Rather Walk (Kayne Kauffman). Ater retook the lead past the quarter in :29.3. Honey B was unchallenged at the half in 1:00.2 and three-quarters in 1:30.2. Josh Sutton sent Like Old Times to attack the leader but a late break in stride sealed his fate as Honey B cruised to a nine and three-quarter length victory in 2:00.2.
The Victory Sam lass is conditioned by Dan Ater for Jim Burnett of Wilmington, Ohio, and Tim Homan of Maineville, Ohio.
In the first $24,875 division Dark Roast and Marty Wollam battled Soaring Flight through the final three-eighths of the mile and scored a head victory in 2:01.
The daughter of Full Count won for the third time in eight starts for her owners Arcadia Farms of Canfield, Ohio, and G & B Racing of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania.
In the final division Sammy Star and Aaron Merriman won over Student Of Life (Marty Wollam) and I’m Chiptastic (John Ryan Melshaimer) in 2:00.3
Sammy Star is owned by Peggy Carter, Robert Reid, Shelia Hummel and Great Am Stable and trained by Steve Carter. The daughter of Victory Sam won for the seventh time in 15 starts.
I Know My Chip and Jason Brewer passed the pace setting Cooter Dun (Louis Bauslaugh) at the top of the stretch and scored a one length victory in the $65,534 Ohio Breeders Championship for two-year-old trotting colts in a lifetime best 1:59.3.
Jim Dailey trains the Deep Chip colt for Kimberly Dailey of Mechanicsburg, Ohio. I Know My Chip has finished first or second in nine of 10 starts this season.
In the second $32,767 division, Neelys Messenger and Marty Wollam won for the sixth straight time with this one in 2:00.3.
When the field was set on their way, Kick A Lot (Kurt Sugg) protected his rail spot forcing Lanterns Chip (Greg Grismore) to race the long mile. Neelys Messenger patiently sat fourth on the rail until he was sent three wide as the field headed to the three-quarter pole. Kick A Lot didn’t like the pressure and broke stride. Neelys Messenger won by one and three-quarter lengths over Lanterns Chip and Really Deep Chip (Jack Dailey).
Dale and Julie Ann Sweet own the son of Neely Dunn.
(LBJ)