Contessa Leigh was the most dominant winner among the eight $100,000 Ohio Sires Stakes finals contested as part of Ohio Super Night at Scioto Downs on Saturday.
Trainer Marty Wollam sent 3-5 favourite Contessa Leigh to the front at the start of their $100,000 event as her two-year-old trotting filly rivals couldn’t match her early speed. But the 3-1 second choice Royal Fricassee was right on Countess Leigh's back as she trotted past the half-mile marker in :59.4. Then Royal Fricassee broke stride and Contessa Leigh was free and clear. Diplomats Mistress posed a mild threat, but was unable to stay with Wollam’s filly in the stretch. At the wire, Contessa Leigh was six and three-quarter lengths on top in 1:58.4. Diplomats Mistress held for second while Trainer Dunn got up for third. The win was the fourth in six starts for the daughter of Full Count. She’s owned by G&B Racing and Patricia Wollam.
Another impressive winner was the well-named Feelin Lika Winner, driven by Kayne Kauffman to a 1:54.1 triumph in the two-year-old pace. Trainer Scott Mogan owns the son of Feelin Friskie with Diamond Chip Stable, Charles Guiler, and AWS Stable. The win was his third in seven starts. The winning margin was six and a half lengths. The 3-5 favourite That Friskie Feelin set the fractions for driver Kyle Ater, but he capitulated in the final quarter, leaving the door open for Feelin Lika Winner to storm past him to victory. Dusto was second and My Myster E was third.
Another Ohio Sires Stakes champion with a big margain of victory on Saturday night was three-year-old trotting filly Rose Run Nellie, given a perfect trip by trainer/driver/owner Scott Cox. She sat on the back of Wardons Daughter and then eased out from behind her in the stretch to trot away with ease in the 1:58.3 victory. Lady At Bat was second and Cinca De Miya third.
The eight Ohio Sires Stakes finals started when the heavily favoured Pink Camo fell victim to a upset by Cating Around, a 1:54.4 winner in in the two-year-old filly pace division for trainer Brian Brown and driver Chris Page. Pink Camo, the fastest freshman filly ever at Scioto Downs, set the fractions, but was no match for Cating Around in the homestretch. Igottafreelinfran was third. Cating Around is owned by Jennifer Brown, Gary Cook, and Timothy Lane.
Trottin On Over took advantage of a late break by heavy favourite Heza Rube to win the two-year-old male trot in 2:00.1. Trainer-driver Mark Headworth steered the gelding to a one and three-quarter length win over Flashy Cash and Neely Spring. Trottin On Over is owned by Emil Konesky of Woodsville, Ohio.
Rock N Jessie caught Cody Coy in the final strides to score a neck victory in 1:56.3 in the final for three-year-old trotting males. Tony Hall drove the son of Jailhouse Jesse. Count Me In finished third. Ron Burke trains Rock N Jessie for the Burke Stable, Slaughter Racing Stable, and Weaverr, Bruscemi and Taylor.
Mr I Am took, driven by Robert Dinning, the sophomore male pace with a 1:53.3 mile over 6-5 favourite Jetstream Friskie and Feelin Cornered. He’s trained by Tricia Shepard for Thomas Phillips of Michigan.
Special Lady D scored hard-fought victory in the sophomore filly pace over five rivals. Brian Brown trains the filly for Country Club Acres, Daniel Wozniak, and William J. Robertson. Ryan Stahl was in the bike as she won in 1:55.1 over Forever Lover and Standing Danette.
The $30,000 Invitational Pace resulted in a new track record for older geldings when Full Of Sand scored for Aaron Merriman in 1:50.4. Ray Paver trains the pacer for White Creek Stable of Florida. Little Gold Ring was second while Admiral Time was third.
During the Super Night program, Ohio Hall of Famer Chip Noble was honoured by the track for recently passing the 5,000 win mark in his career. Noble’s family joined him in the winner’s circle for the ceremony.
Also, Chris Page was saluted as Scioto’s leading driver for 2012 while Virgil Morgan Jr. was honoured as the leading trainer.
Scioto races two more programs on Thursday and Friday of this coming week before wrapping up its 2012 season.
(With files from Scioto Downs)