Northfield, OH — Eight $40,000 Ohio Sires Stakes contests for freshman trotters of both genders kicked off the holiday weekend on Friday (July 3) at Northfield Park. Harness racing fans got their first glimpse of Ohio’s future stars with five divisions for fillies and three for colts and geldings.

Swizzle Hanover captured the first division for fillies easily for Mike Wilder in 1:57.1. JJ Zamaiko photo.

As expected, Randy Bendis’ Swizzle Hanover captured the first division for fillies easily for Mike Wilder in 1:57.1. The daughter of Uncle Peter, out of the Chocolatier mare Seducedbychocolate, left the gate as the 5-2 second choice and prevailed in the stretch over the determined 14-1 Incomeorexpenses (Tyler Smith) while 8-5 favorite Celebrate With Me (Kurt Sugg) got up for third. The victory was the first for Swizzle Hanover who previously scored two winning qualifiers at The Meadows.

In the second OSS trotting filly division More Spirit (2-1) led from start to finish for driver Kurt Sugg and trainer Charlie Myrick. Bred by Dublin Valley Farm, the daughter of Southwind Spirit-Amor Deo captured her first career start handily in 1:59.3, 3-3/4 lengths in front of 9-2 Magic Credit Card (Aaron Merriman), with Miss Meringue (Anthony MacDonald) third. More Spirit is owned by Second Chance Stable.

Herculisa lived up to her name as she posted an impressive 1:58.1 clocking in the third OSS filly trotting division with Brett Miller at the controls. Trained by Virgil Morgan Jr., the My MVP-Herculotte Hanover lass left the gate at 4-5 odds and once on top, never looked back. Owned by Jesmeral Stable, Herculisa bested formidable rivals in 5-2 Merry Ann (Chris Page), who was second, and 2-1 Momma Knows Best (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.).

The heavily favored (3-5) Chip It In got up in the final strides for Ronnie Wrenn Jr. to best the hard trying 15-1 Trumpeter Swan (Brett Miller) to win the fourth OSS trotting filly division in 1:58.2. Chris Beaver trains the daughter of Break The Bank K-Chippiesbrownsugar for Beaver, David Meola, Donald Robinson and R.B.H. Ventures. Beaver’s other trainee, 6-1 Ozma (Aaron Merriman) was a determined third.

A Doll Face looked every bit the part of her name as she cruised to a 1:59.4 victory in the final OSS division for 2-year-old trotting fillies. Trainer Kayne Kauffman was in the sulky behind the 8-5 daughter of Dontyouforgetit-Alliomi who is owned by Doug Millard. Irish Princess, at 17-1, closed sharply for Aaron Merriman, while 35-1 My Jazz (Anthony MacDonald) trotted solidly to be third.

Spyder The Striker took home first prize in 1:56.3 for driver Aaron Merriman. JJ Zamaiko photo.

In the first of the three OSS colt trotting divisions it was all Spyder The Striker (1-1) taking home first prize in 1:56.3 for driver Aaron Merriman. Trained and co-owned by Chris Beaver along with Charles Beaver, Leo Fleming and VIP Internet Stable, the son of Uncle Peter-Elena looked much the best after having scored two winning qualifiers — the first at Delaware and the second at Northfield prior to this test. Admiral Allstar (9-2) was second for Kurt Sugg, while 7-1 Replica Hanover was third for Tyler Smith. Spyder The Striker was bred by Wilbur Stoll Lang and is a half-brother to Kanthaka (by Triumphant Caviar) 3,1:53.4f ($417,242); High Blue (by Majestic Son) 1:54.2f ($304,074); Alacrity (by Pilgrims Taj) 4,1:55s ($232,573) and First Flower (by Angus Hall) 1:58.1f ($123,369).

In the second OSS trotting division for males, it was 3-5 Shouldaknownbetter (Chris Page), a Deep Chip-Lexis Electra gelding owned and trained by Shane Arsenault, who made his second career victory in as many tries look effortless. Tango With Me (7-1) was second for Ronnie Wrenn Jr., while 21-1 Street Gossip put forth an impressive effort for trainer-driver Roger Hughes Jr., to nab third-place money. Shouldaknownbetter — who trotted to a 1:57 win in his pari-mutuel debut — scored in 1:58.2 here and now has $25,550 in career earnings. This fine youngster was bred by GBW Breeding Farms.

Perron proved to be much the best as the 6-5 favorite for driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. in the final OSS division for trotting colts and geldings, stopping the timer in 1:58.4. The son of My MVP-Long Island Tea is trained by Chris Beaver for Steve Stewart, David Wright, Greg Wilcoxen and Kevin Doherty. Panzano got up to be second for Brett Miller with 5-2 Fire Cross third for Kayne Kauffman.

Ohio Sires Stakes action continues Saturday (July 4) at Scioto Downs with one division for 3-year-old pacing fillies.