by Kimberly Rinker, OSDF Administrator

Columbus, OH — The $275,000 Ohio Sires Stakes finals for 2- and 3-year-old trotting and pacing colts and fillies is set to be the richest night ever in Ohio racing history. Eight Ohio Sires Stakes finals, totaling $2.2 million, will move postward on Saturday (Sept. 8) at Scioto Downs. Post time is 6:30 p.m. (EDT).

The Ohio Sires Stakes help to promote the breeding and racing of Standardbreds in the Buckeye State through its rich four-leg series and hefty final purses.

As well, the Ohio Sires Stakes features $60,000 finals for veteran campaigners, 4-year-olds and up (Oct. 6 at Northfield Park) and $60,000 consolation races for 2- and 3-year-olds (Oct. 13 at Northfield Park).

Foals are deemed eligible to the series by virtue of their sires being registered with the Ohio State Racing Commission and standing stallion duty in Ohio during year of conception.

This year, the stallion Pet Rock p,4,1:47 ($1,984,204) is tops in Ohio Sires Stakes money earned by 2-year-old pacers with $215,600. The son of Rocknroll Hanover-Casual Beauty is also second in the leading sires list of 3-year-old Ohio Sires Stakes earners with $194,800. Pet Rock, who stands at Midland Acres in Bloomingburg, is also second among all Ohio sires of 2- and 3-year-old pacers in the 2018 Ohio Sires Stakes legs in number of wins, with his freshmen having recorded five triumphs and his sophomores having garnered four wins.

Some of Pet Rock’s standouts in the Ohio Sires Stakes include Rylee Roo (leg two winner in 1:53.3, leg four winner in 1:53.2); Rock Candy (leg four winner in 1:53); Rockathon (leg two winner in 1:51.4, leg three winner in 1:51.4); Rockn Motion (leg one winner in 1:51.1); and Gold Digger King (leg one winner in 1:52.4).

Tops among sires of 3-year-old pacers in Ohio Sires Stakes by earnings — with $224,800 — is the ill-fated Dragon Again p,5,1:48.3s ($2,343,428) who stood at Sugar Valley Farm in Delaware until his untimely death in 2017. This son of Dragon’s Lair-Ever And Again was fourth in the standings among 2-year-old pacers in Ohio Sires Stakes earnings ($121,700), and first in the sire listing of 3-year-old pacers by wins (six) in Ohio Sires Stakes competition.

Some of Dragon Again’s top Ohio Sires Stakes contestants include Bounding Dragon (leg one winner in 1:53, leg three winner in 1:51.1, leg four winner in 1:51.1); Smiley Dragon (leg two winner in 1:52.4, leg three winner in 1:52.3); and Kay Again (leg two winner in 1:52.2).

Western Vintage p,2,1:49.4 ($402,478), a son of Western Ideal-Major Harmony who stands at Abby Stables in Sugarcreek, is the leading sire of 2-year-old pacers in the Ohio Sires Stakes by number of wins, with six, including divisional leader Rose Run Ulysses (leg one winner in 1:52.2, leg two winner in 1:54.1, leg four winner in 1:52); and Authentic Hanover (leg one winner in 1:53.3, leg two winner in 1:53.4). Western Vintage also sits second behind the leading Pet Rock among sires of 2-year-old pacers in Ohio Sires Stakes by earnings with $147,200.

The top four sires of 2-year-old pacers in Ohio Sires Stakes 2018 earnings
Pet Rock-$215,600
Western Vintage-$147,200
McArdle-$129,000
Dragon Again-$121,700

The top four sires of 2-year-old pacers in Ohio Sires Stakes 2018 wins
Western Vintage-6
Pet Rock-5
McArdle-4
Nob Hill High-3

The top four sires of 3-year-old pacers in Ohio Sires Stakes 2018 earnings
Dragon Again-$224,800
Pet Rock-$194,800
McArdle-$127,000
Big Bad John-$71,300

The top four sires of 3-year-old pacers in Ohio Sires Stakes 2018 wins
Dragon Again-6
Pet Rock-4
McArdle-4
Big Bad John and I’m Gorgeous (tie)-2

Among the Buckeye State’s trotting sires, Uncle Peter 4,1:50.3f ($1,290,660) leads all sires of 2-year-olds in Ohio Sires Stakes in earnings ($220,800) and he’s also tied for first in wins (six) with the Conway Hall-B Cor Tamgo stallion Broadway Hall 2,1:56.4 ($436,790).

Uncle Peter, a son of Cantab Hall-Victory Treasure, stands at Hickory Lane Farm in Findlay, with his first offspring starting as freshmen this season. Some of his top Ohio Sire Stakes winners include Aunt Rose (leg one winner in 1:59.1, leg two winner in 1:59); Never Say Uncle (leg two winner in 1:58.4); Oh So Pine (leg one winner in 2:01.3); and Peter Trottintail (leg three winner in 1:59.4).

In the 3-year-old ranks, My MVP 3,1:52 ($879,804) leads all sires in both Ohio Sires Stakes earnings ($188,550) and wins (six). This son of Cantab Hall-Exceed Expectation stands at Sugar Valley Farm, Delaware, and his top Ohio Sires Stakes performers include: Non Smoker (leg one winner in 1:54, leg two winner in 1:56.2, leg three winner in 1:55.1); Spunky Bottom Girl (leg two winner in 1:55.4, leg four winner in 1:54.2); and Rising MVP (leg two winner in 1:56.2).

The top four sires of 2-year-old trotters in Ohio Sires Stakes 2018 earnings
Uncle Peter-$220,800
Manofmanymissions-$180,400
Wishing Stone-$174,400
Broadway Hall-$169,600

The top four sires of 2-year-old trotters in Ohio Sires Stakes 2018 wins
Uncle Peter-6
Broadway Hall-6
Wishing Stone-5
Manofmanymissions-4

The top four sires of 3-year-old trotters in Ohio Sires Stakes 2018 earnings
My MVP-$188,550
Manofmanymissions-$171,500
Dejarmbro-$123,400
Stormin Normand-$118,550

The top four sires of 3-year-old trotters in Ohio Sires Stakes 2018 wins
My MVP-6
Manofmanymissions-4
Stormin Normand-3
Dejarmbro, Break The Bank K, Cash Hall (Tie)-2