When harness racing legend Dave Palone makes a rare appearance on the Grand Circuit, it’s worth paying attention, and on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds, the reason was clear.
Palone, the sport’s all-time winningest driver, guided Spoon Fed, a promising daughter of Stay Hungry-Native Angel, to a dominant gate-to-wire victory in the second $35,069 division of The Standardbred for two-year-old filly pacers. The filly lived up to her billing as the 1-9 favourite, finishing 3-1/2 lengths ahead of her closest competition and stopping the timer in 1:53.2. Existential (Tim Tetrick) closed with a powerful three-wide move around the final turn to claim second, while Joyful Hanover (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) rounded out the top three. The winning homebred is co-owned by Jan Snyder and trainer Douglas Snyder.
Real Fast went coast-to-coast in the second split for rookie pacing fillies with Wrenn at the lines. She defeated Kilauea Hanover (Mike Wilder) by 2-1/2 lengths in a lifetime-best 1:53. Ruby Vuitton (Chris Page) was third. The victorious Papi Rob Hanover-Real Touch lass is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Knox Services Inc., and Slaughter Racing Stable LLC. The win was one of five on the day for Burke, who also won the Jugette with Rodeo Drive Deo.
Thai Hanover, driven by Jeremy Indof, captured the $66,667 division of The Standardbred for two-year-old male pacers. He gunned off the wings and cleared the field before the eighth pole and was able to keep his five rivals behind him for a 1:52.1 victory by 2-1/2 lengths. In A Minute (Marcus Miller) finished second, and C Millertimeagain (Tim Tetrick) completed the triactor. Trainer Mitchell York co-owns the winning son of Stay Hungry-Tempest Blue Chip with Erin York.
Captain Jordan gathered himself up in time after a late break in stride to record a 1:55.3 victory in the $66,944 The Standardbred event for freshman colt trotters. Driven by Tetrick, he crossed the finish line 3-1/4 lengths ahead of Tymal Kryptonite (Brady Brown), followed by and Rico Tubbs (Anthony MacDonald). Scott Di Domenico trains the winning son of Captain Corey-Jordan Blue Chip for Joe Faraldo and Triple D Stables Inc.
In the second $34,792 division of The Standardbred for two-year-old filly trotters, Meadowbrook Ashley (Dexter Dunn) overcame the outside post seven and used a grinding first-over trip to secure the three-length win in a career-best 1:56. Wendalyn Hanover (Wrenn) rallied for second and Skyline Salty Girl (Wilder) was third. Meadowbrook Ashley, a daughter of You Know You Do-See Me Sparkle, is owned by the trio of Julie Rideout, Alan White, and Dave Gamble. Doug Rideout is the conditioner.
Cherrys Girl (MacDonald) went gate-to-wire to secure her second career win in the first division in 1:57. Rina Labelle (Wrenn) made a late charge but came up a neck short. K Lyn (LeWayne Miller) rounded out the trifecta. Cherrys Girl is owned by the The Stable's Cherrys Girl group and Hutchison Harness LLC. Jason McGinnis trains the Captain Corey-Cherry Lovin lass.
There was also a trio of $72,589 Ohio Breeders Championship divisions for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings on the 22-race program.
Crocodile Station (Wrenn) cruised to a one-length score in the third split in 1:52. Swelce (Wilder) and When Is Parade (Page) completed the top three. Michael Hitchcock trains Crocodile Station, a son of Downbytheseaside-Camera Lady, for William Hartt.
Backninebar, driven by Page, protected his rail position with a give-and-go move for a 2-1/2-length score in the second division in 1:52.2. Thunder Jam (Tyler Smith) was second, and Spanky Mcgee (Mike Micallef) came in third. The homebred son of Downbytheseaside-Restless De Vie has won back-to-back starts for trainer Ron Burke and owner Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, and Knox Services Inc.
The Delaware County Fair-based trainer/driver combo of Jessica and Cameron McCown scored one for the home team as Heerz Corinthian held off late charges from Odds On Ray (Dunn) and Simon Sez Go (Chris Lems) to win the first division in 1:53.2. Odds On Ray missed by a nose in second, with Simon Sez Go third. Heerz Corinthian, a son of Downbytheseaside-Rainbow Writer, is owned by the partnership of Heerzthestock Inc., Tripoli Stable, and Susan Sullivan.
Also on the card were four $27,778 Buckeye Stallion Series divisions for two-year-old pacing males.
Trevor Henry scored his first career win at the Delaware County Fair as he drove Legends Rule to victory in the third division in 1:53.4. It was the first win for the Bit Of A Legend N-Shesa Lucky Lady gelding for trainer Randy Marriage and owner Richard McGlynn.
Hunka Hunka (Chris Page) won the second division in 1:54 for his fourth BSS victory of the year. The Daren Harvey-trained son of Catch The Fire-Betterluvnexttime is owned by Wayne Mast Jr., Eden Acres Farmstead LLC, Steven Miller, and Harvey.
“It’s a thrill,” Harvey said after the win. “He’s really progressed throughout the year. We got [to] the Buckeye final with him, and we can’t be more grateful for that.”
The Ebony Dragon (Luke Hanners) recorded the fastest mile among the four divisions, winning the fourth in 1:53.1. The Fear The Dragon-Glorious Virgin colt led all the way for trainer Tyler Bates and owners Suzanne Bates and Cedar Point Beach Racing.
Stoke The Fire (Lems) won the first division off a pocket trip in 1:53.4. The Catch The Fire-Nyanna Hanover gelding is trained by Scott Cox for lessee Terri Mt Pleasant.
The winners of the Ohio Fair Racing Conference divisions for three-year-old pacing fillies were Reallyrukiddingme (Austin Hanners) in 1:55.1 for trainer Dan Venier and Sectionline Flame (Emanuel Miller) in 1:55.2 for Herman Hagerman.
Page won two of the four divisions of the Ohio Fair Racing Conference for freshman colt pacers, driving winners Illbetyourboots in 1:56.2 for Ron Burke and Racing Perfection in 1:54.2 for Jayne Weller. Also winning divisions were the Todd Luther-trained Prolific Blend in 1:53.4 with Greg Luther in the bike and Theetown Mailman in 1:57, piloted by Ronnie Gillespie for conditioner Craig Bowman.
The 20-race Little Brown Jug Day card on Thursday will start at 11 a.m. The card, headlined by the $500,000 USD Little Brown Jug, also includes the $103,500 USD Old Oaken Bucket and $81,400 USD Buckette, and the $95,000 USD Ms. Versatility final.
(Little Brown Jug & Ohio Harness Horseman's Association; photo of Spoon Fed winning on Sept. 17)