Grove City, OH — The fifth leg of the Ohio Sires Stakes for two-year-old colt trotters and pacers, three-year-old filly trotters, and three-year-old colt pacers concluded Saturday (August 26) at Eldorado Scioto Downs. Two $55,000 races in each division were contested.
In the first division for freshman colt trotters, Tennessee Tom (Chris Page) got away slowly, but charged up the backstretch to take command on the way to an impressive four-length victory in a new lifetime mark of 1:55.1 It was the third Sires Stakes win of the year for the son of Long Tom. Trained by Ron Burke and owned by the Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Hatfield Stables, and Knox Services, Tennessee Tom (Long Tom-Missive) has hit the board in six of seven starts winning four. He has earned $139,850 this year.
Royal Precedent’s (Aaron Merriman) bid to win a fourth leg of the Ohio Sires Stakes came up short as he finished second with E-Pass (Trevor Smith) third.
In the second division, Dan Noble took 3-5 favorite Deville Hill (What The Hill-Oh Maybeline) to the lead at the quarter and held off a challenge around the final turn from Tt’s Magnum Force (Jason Thompson) to win by a length in 1:57.3. It was the first win of the year in six starts for the Clarence Foulk trainee. Deville Hill has earned $68,125 for owners Thomas Ceraso and Norman Rae Racing.
Smooth Talkin (Don Irvine Jr.) finished second while Do What’s Right (Brett Miller) was third.
Three-time Sires Stakes winner Spaaaanzano was scratched sick.
The win was Noble’s 150th win at Scioto Downs this year.
In the first division for the two-year-old colt pacers, Janelle Granny (Brett Miller) took the pocket trip, swinging wide at the top of the stretch and passing 1-5 favorite Clever Cody (Aaron Merriman) deep in the stretch to win by a length in a new lifetime mark of 1:51.2. Janelle Granny (Fear The Dragon-Beach Granny) has finished first or second in all 11 starts for owner-trainer Betty Clegg, winning four, The Fear The Dragon colt has earned $149,222 this year.
Clever Cody was looking for his fourth Sires Stakes win but settled for second with Paris’s Dragon (Dan Noble) third.
In the second division, Rose Run Zane (Austin Hanners) made it look easy, winning by five lengths in a new lifetime mark of 1:51.3. Hanners took the son of Racing Hill to the lead after the quarter and never looked back winning for the second time this year. Trained by Dan Venier and owned by John and Leann Saunders Rose Run Zane has earned $50,700 in his freshman season.
Midwind Beach Boy (Chris Page) finished second while Dancin Moon (Noble) was third.
In the first division of sophomore filly trotters, Cornstar (Chris Lems) made her move from fourth just past the half-mile mark, pulling even with the leader Truly Relentless (Aaron Merriman) as they entered the final turn. Around the turn Cornstar (Coraggioso-Punks Embrace) opened up and drew away to win by two lengths in 1:54.4. It was the fifth win in 14 starts for the daughter of Coraggioso. Trained by Scott Cox and owned by Vickie Jennings, Cornstar has earned $71,050 this year.
Simply Hill (Tony Hall) was second with Along In Time (Irvine Jr.) third.
In the other division, Rose Run Yolanda (Triumphant Caviar-Rose Run Keepsake) earned her third Sires Stakes victory of the year. The 1-9 favorite with Miller charged up the backstretch taking control heading to the three-quarter pole and pulled away to win by five lengths in 1:54. It was the sixth win in ten starts for the Todd Luther trainee. Rose Run Yolanda, the daughter of Triumphant Caviar, pushed her career earnings to $490,864 for Greg Luther Racing.
Rose Run Yanae (Page) finished third while Swinging Senorita (Tyler Smith) was third.
In the first division for sophomore colt pacers, Quick Trick (Racing Hill-Touch Of Trick) and Tyler Smith entered the final turn in fourth and went three-wide at the top of the stretch and outdueled Racing Rampage and Dunkin’ down the stretch to win by a length in a new lifetime mark of 1:50. Trained by Jeff Conger who co-owns with Knox Services, the gelded son of Racing Hill has won six of 14 starts this year. It was the 10th career win for Quick Trick who has earned $107,327 this year.
Racing Rampage (Miller) finished second while Dunkin’ (Merriman) finished third.
Act Fast (Downbytheseaside-Act Like A Diva) and Page grabbed the lead heading to the quarter pole and never looked back to win the second division. The son of Downbytheseaside was never challenged, winning by two lengths in a new lifetime mark of 1:49.1. It was the fifth win of the year for Act Fast. Trained by Burke and owned by Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services, and Rich Lombardo Racing, Act Fast raised his earnings this year to $136,165.
Ants Marching (Josert Fonseca) was second in a photo with Burnout (Sam Widger) third.
Page and Miller both ended the night with four wins each.
The $400,000 Ohio Sires Stakes Scarlet and Gray Championship is scheduled for Saturday, September 9 at Eldorado Scioto Downs. The first race post time is 5:00 PM.