Rose Run Zoey and driver Tyler Smith cruised to victory in the $137,460 Ohio Breeders Championship for two-year-old filly pacers in a stakes and track record equalling 1:52.2 in Sunday (Sept. 17) action at the Delaware County Fair.
When the wings of the starting gate opened, Rose Run Zoey protected her rail position and rebuffed a challenge by Daisys Star (Sam Widger) to go gate-to-wire. The pocket-sitting Flyin Bullets (Brett Miller) was second and a late-charging Seaside Diva (Chris Page) was third.
The daughter of Lather Up is trained by Ryan Miller and owned by Miller Racing Stable and Let It Ride Stable. Her career earnings are $570 shy of the $200,000 mark.
Sectionline Bigry and driver Chris Page took the $34,400 Ohio Breeders Championship for aged pacers in a stakes record equalling 1:49.4.
The hometown pacer, Sectionline Bigry, sat patiently in third and watched the duelling leaders, Cyclone Union Jack (Dan Noble) and Gold Digger King (Tyler Smith), through the first three-quarters in 1:22.2. Page went three-wide with the eventual winner in the final turn and drew away to equal the mark set last year by Charlie May.
With the first-place cheque of $17,200, the eight-year-old gelded son of Pet Rock’s career earnings surpasses the $1 million mark at $1,015,207. The winning owner is Delaware’s Harold Lee Bauder. Sectionline Bigry is trained by Steve Bauder.
Dakota Jackson and Louie Louie overcame an objection to win the Tim Fouts Memorial Standardbred Driving Championship in 1:53.4. Rose Run Xiled (Wyatt Long) and Medoland Terror (Tony Dinges) were second and third.
Louie Louie is owned by Tatham Racing Stable and trained by Mark Winters Jr.
Jackson represented the American Harness Drivers Club.
The 19-race Monday program will go postward at 1 p.m.
(With files from Little Brown Jug)
Hydraulic Hazel and Virtual Horizon
Hydraulic Hazel finished 4th in yesterday's 4th race at Delaware, the first time in 15 starts this year that she didn't win the race. That means that the only horse in North America that is unbeaten and has made at least 11 starts in 2023 is Virtual Horizon. He's next scheduled to race in The Plainsman eliminations on Saturday at Century Mile. The final is scheduled for 9/30.