Grove City, OH – At 56-1, longshot Midnight Nolan pulled off an impressive rally storming home from fifth entering the stretch to take one of two $20,000 divisions of the Buckeye Stallion Series for 3-year-old filly trotters Sunday at MGM Northfield Park.
Leaving from the outside post position seven, Midnight Nolan got away last. Driver Luke Ebersole raced from the back of the pack as the opening quarter went in :27.4. Ebersole urged the daughter of Uncle Peter to follow cover third-over while passing the half in :58.
Midnight Nolan still sat sixth at the 1:26.3 three-quarters marker and a faced a wall of traffic at the top of the stretch. Sneaking through, Midnight Nolan rallied to win by a head in 1:57.4.
Champa Bay Hall (Austin Hanners) marched home for second with Tammie Sue (Elliott Deaton) hung on for third.
The victory marks the first of the season for Midnight Nolan who has now surpassed $60,000 in lifetime earnings. Dan Walski conditions the filly for Walski Stables.
Uncle Petes Dream and Deaton took the first division in 1:57.1. After getting away third, the Uncle Peter filly let the dust settle before taking control of the field past the :28.3 opening quarter. Once on top, she held off challengers to set remaining fractions in :58.1 and 1:27.4. As the 8-5 favorite Uncle Petes Dream tripped the wire with more than a length to spare.
Lady Almas (Hanners) was second while Alittlepixiedust (Kurt Sugg) finished third.
Despite a slow start in her freshmen year with one win in eight races, Uncle Petes Dream has now hit the board 12 of 15 tries this season. With six victories, four seconds and two thirds, the filly has bankrolled $55,711 for owner Matt Rowe. Deborah Swartz conditions Uncle Petes Dream.
Buckeye Stallion Series action continues with sophomore colt pacers on Friday (Aug. 30) at Eldorado Scioto Downs.