MGM Northfield Park hosted four $27,027 divisions for the fourth leg of the Buckeye Stallion Series for two-year-old colt trotters on Sunday evening, Sept. 8. Two victors, Vekna and Sweet Harmony, scored their third series win of the season.
Guided by trainer/driver Kayne Kauffman, Vekna settled in fourth in his division as the opening quarter came in :28.3. Vekna followed cover as the field passed the half in 1:00 then Kauffman urged the 2-5 favourite three-wide while heading to the 1:29.3 three-quarters marker. Stride for stride with the leader around the final turn, Vekna shifted gears down the stretch to win in 1:59.2 by 3-1/2 lengths. Cowboy Poker (Austin Hanners) held on for second with Silverton (Hunter Myers) in third.
Vekna has won five of his six lifetime starts. After missing the first leg of the Buckeye Stallion Series, the son of Enterprise has notched victories in the three most recent legs. The gelding has earned $56,271 for owner Natalie Kauffman. He was bred by Spring Haven Farm.
Despite leaving from the sixth post position in his division, Sweet Harmony (pictured above) swiftly left the gate to grab the lead for trainer/driver Ronnie Gillespie. The Uncle Peter gelding set the opening fractions in :29. and :59.2. Rose Run ATM (Aaron Merriman) challenged for the front first-up and passed the three-quarters in 1:27.4. Still on the inside, 2-5 favourite Sweet Harmony fought back in the final turn to win in 1:58.2 with more than a length to spare. Mister Squeeze (Hanners) finished second and Rose Run ATM was third.
Gillespie conditions Sweet Harmony, who has won eight of his 12 starts and $59,509, for owner Anthony Miller. The gelding secured victories in the first, third and now fourth series legs. He was bred by Steiner Stock Farm.
In another division, Aaron Merriman and Letsgotoparis found the perfect pocket trip behind even-money favourite Seven Lick Tom (Chris Lems). Letsgotoparis stayed patient as the fractions came in :29.4, 1:00.3 and 1:30.1. As the 9-5 second choice, Letsgotoparis pulled to the outside at the top of the stretch and dug in every step of the way. The son of Mister Anson secured his victory in the final stride of the 2:00.4 mile. Seven Lick Tom was second by a quarter of a length while Naabaahii (Kauffman) finished third.
Although Letsgotoparis has won half of his eight lifetime starts, the colt scored his first series win. Trained by Edward Miller, Letsgotoparis has earned $33,784. Miller co-owns along with Ashley Dunn. Adrian Hochstetler bred Letsgotoparis.
Despite an early miscue behind the gate, Full Moon Howl won the final division of the night. The son of Full Count was on a break leaving the gate but quickly got back on stride. Driven by Gillespie, the gelding raced from the middle of the pack as the opening quarter passed in :28.4. Feeling confident, Full Moon Howl flushed cover passing the :59.1 half-mile marker. Down the backside, 2-1 second choice Full Moon Howl pulled three-wide and marched past the leaders at the 1:29.1 three-quarters pole. Opening up by more than three lengths, Full Moon Howl scored in a new lifetime mark of 1:59.2. Flying Tom (Greg Grismore) finished second with Rockers Legend (Justin Irvine) third.
Full Moon Howl has hit the board 11 of 13 tries this season, earning $49,566. He notched his first Buckeye Stallion Series victory. Jessica Smith trains and co-owns the trotter along with her daughter Madisyn Smith. Full Moon Howl was bred by Andrew Kauffman.
Buckeye Stallion Series action continues with sophomore trotters on Sunday, Sept. 15 at the Delaware County Fair.
(With files from Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)