On Thursday, July 3, Northfield Park will host six divisions of Ohio Sires Stakes as part of the track’s 15-race program.
Thursday will mark the first leg of the sires stakes for the freshman fillies. The stakes action will help to highlight ‘Back to the Track.’
The United States Trotting Association has coordinated Back to the Track with racetracks across the United States to make it a national event. Back to the Track is designed to promote harness racing and encourage occasional or former race fans to come back to the track for an exciting night of entertainment.
Freshman filly pacers will start Thursday’s stakes action in Race 1, which offers a $40,000 purse. Finefeelinfriskie (Feelin Friskie-Lady Shuffle-Cams Card Shark) is the 7-5 morning line favourite for owners CT Howard of Hilliard, Ohio, Herres Stables of Bellbrook, Ohio, GS Tucker of Quebec and DA Mitchell of Novi, Michigan. Virgil Morgan Jr. is the filly’s trainer and has enlisted the services of driver Greg Grismore. Finefeelinfriskie will be making her first lifetime start in Thursday’s race. She has posted three qualifying efforts, most recently winning at Scioto Downs in 1:56.4. Finefeelinfriskie will start from Post 3. Also competing in the first division will be Naughty Osborne, Friskie Lil Devil, Happy Jude, Feelin Outragous, Zebra Stripes and Hailstorm Grace.
Race 2 will be the $40,000 first division for two-year-old Ohio-bred trotting fillies. Trainer Dan Ater will start Honey B (Victory Sam-Honey Mesquite-Angus Hall), who is the 3-1 slight morning line favourite. Honey B will start from Post 2 and will face seven rivals. Honey B has qualified twice, most recently finishing second in 2:03.3 at Scioto Downs. Kyle Ater is scheduled to drive for owners Jim Burnett of Wilmington, Ohio and Tim Homan of Maineville, Ohio. Song Of The Valley, Iron Lucy, Student Of Life, Id Rather Walk, Hello Chipper, Star Of Thine and Sammy Star complete the line up.
Pacers return to the stage in Race 3 for the $40,000 second division of the Ohio Sire Stakes. Karlee Sue (Feelin Friskie-Magical Jeanie-Magical Mike) is the 2-1 morning line favourite for owners Dennis Stolz of Midland, Michigan, Daniel Mitchell of Novi, Michigan and co-owner/trainer Allen Tomlinson of Mason, Michigan. Karlee Sue has one start to her credit, a third-place finish in an $11,160 race at Mohawk Racetrack. Driver Chris Page will start the pacer from Post 6 in a field that consists of Suite Feelin, Playa Del Sol, Zoeys Lemon Tart, Blinded, Fellin Flirty and Corner Girl.
Trotters will compete again in Race 5, the $40,000 second division of the Ohio Sires Stakes. Sunrise Nibbles (Iron Duke-Sweethomeourbama-Kadabra) will start from the rail and is the 2-1 morning line favourite. She is owned by C Beaver of Delaware, Ohio, Synerco Vent of Ontario, S Zeehandler of Worthington, Ohio and D Lang of Hird, Ohio. Trainer Christopher Beaver has called upon Chris Page to drive. The filly has qualified twice and won both, the fastest in 2:02.1 at Scioto Downs. Sunrise Nibbles will start from the rail and has a host of rivals consisting of Influential Girl, Dolly Dunn, Defiant Victory, Talissa, Bettys Sam, Soaring Flight and Sammies Delight.
Race 11 is the $40,000 third division for the two-year-old filly pacers. Medoland Kendolin (Feelin Friskie-Wanida Jean-Mattcando) is the 3-1 morning line favourite for owners TF Hoovler of Pataskala, Ohio, RV Hutchinson of North Ridgeville, Ohio and Dr. R Van Hutchison of Avon Lake, Ohio. Mike Medors trains the filly and uses Aaron Merriman to drive. This freshman has recorded two qualifying lines, most recently finishing second and pacing in 1:59.3 at Scioto Downs. Medoland Kendolin will start from Post 3 in a field consisting of The Light, Indian Rockette, Friskie Til Dawn, Tolatetoapologize, Colossal Chaos, Forever Golden and Bevnlindas Blossom.
Race 12, the final freshman stakes event during the night, is the $40,000 third division for trotters. Im Chiptastic (Chip Chip Hooray-Pleasure Skate-Super Pleasure) is the 3-1 morning line favourite for owners Mel Rose Stable of Hopewell, Ohio and David Pierce of Houston, Texas. John Ryan Melsheimer is the filly’s trainer and driver. Im Chiptastic will be making her first lifetime start. She has posted two qualifying efforts, most recently being timed in 2:02.3 at the Meadows. Im Chiptastic will start from Post 5. Miss Fanci Cash, Hot Chip, If I Could Count, Chip Chip Skater, Little Casino, Dark Roast and Lisa Jane will also be competing in the third division.
First-race post time for Thursday’s card of racing at Northfield is 6 p.m.
(With files from Northfield)