Grove City, OH — Gulf Shores started his freshman year by rolling off six straight wins, including the $300,000 Ohio Sires Stakes final, on his way to winning the Ohio Triple Crown and being named the Ohio 2-year-old Pacing Colt of the Year.

Gulf Shores was named the Ohio 2-year-old Pacing Colt of the Year. JJ Zamaiko photo.

Trainer Brian Brown said Gulf Shores is talented, but also has a desire to win.

“He was willing to do whatever you wanted to do. You could leave or you could race him from behind.”

Brown says Gulf Shores was not perfect every start as he raced at times with stomach ulcers and a little bit of soreness.

“When it was time to go behind the starting gate, you would not know anything was wrong with the horse.”

Gulf Shores, the son of Downbytheseaside out of Western Drag, finished the campaign by winning six of 10 starts and finishing second in three others. His other wins included the Ohio State Fair Stakes and the Ohio Breeders Championship, which along with the Ohio Sire Stakes comprise the Ohio Triple Crown.

Owned by Country Club Acres, Inc., Diamond Creek Racing, and Wingfield Brothers, Gulf Shores earned $493,967 in 2021.

Gulf Shores will be honored at the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association annual awards banquet Jan. 15 at the Hilton Columbus-Polaris in Columbus, Ohio. Tickets to the banquet are $30 each and can be purchased by calling the OHHA office at 614.221.3650. Reservation forms are also available on the OHHA website at www.ohha.com.

The 2021 Ohio Horse of the Year will be announced at the annual awards banquet.