Northfield, OH – The Ohio Sires Stakes for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers made a stop at MGM Northfield Park on Sunday (July 13) with four divisions.
Trainer Ron Burke and driver Chris Page kicked off the first leg of the $50,000 Ohio Sires Stakes for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers as Lindy Dragonwater (Downbytheseaside-Imagine Dragon) scored a powerful come-from-behind victory.
Maserati Marv (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) left alertly defending pylon position and clearing rivals entering the first turn, with Lindy Dragonwater taking up pocket position in second, with I Am The Sea (Sam Widger) in third.
The field was in straight alignment to the quarter in :28.3 with Wrenn dictating the fractions. Maserati Marv was able to work out a big second-quarter breather, getting to the half in :59 with U Can’t Catch This (Dan Noble) breathing down his neck after making a big first-over bid for the lead.
The pair dueled through much of the backstretch, but at three-quarters in 1:26.1 Maserati Marv put away U Can’t Catch This, but Lindy Dragonwater had fresh legs turning for home after a ground-saving trip, cruising by the leader to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.2.
Maserati Marv was second, while Pet Project (Trevor Smith) rallied to be third.
Lindy Dragonwater, owned by Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services, Beasty, and Brad Grant, broke his maiden on Sunday and pushed his career earnings to $26,080.
Fresh off a victory in the $150,000 Next Generation at Eldorado Scioto Downs, I’llbetyourboots (Summa Cum Laude-Age Of Consent) made it three-in-a-row with a powerful victory in the $50,000 second division.
Fired Up Henry L (Hank LeVan) and Simon Sez Go (Chris Lems) dueled into the initial turn, with Fired Up Henry L getting the upper hand as the field entered the backstretch. I’llbetyourboots (Chris Page), third around the clubhouse turn, was not content with waiting and made a first-over bid for the lead, clearing before a :27.4 first quarter.
At the half in a well-rated :58.1, I’llbetyourboots continued to cruise on the front end without being challenged.
Entering the backstretch for the final time, Spanky Mcgee (Mike Micallef) began to apply pressure, advancing first-over on the leader. As they approached the three-quarters in 1:26.1, Spanky Mcgee continued to gain on I’llbetyourboots.
I’llbetyourboots accelerated through the stretch under confidently handling by Page and won by two lengths in 1:54.
Spanky Mcgee had to settle for second, Thunder Jam (Mike Wilder) closed gamely to be third.
Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Knox Services, and Larry Karr, I’llbetyourboots now has career earnings of $104,960.
In the $50,000 third division, Swelce (Summa Cum Laude-I’m Fondue Of You) received the perfect trip, and rallied through the stretch to win by a neck.
Sparks N Fire (Austin Hanners) and Swelce (Mike Wilder) both left alertly from the word go. Sparks N Fire worked to the lead entering the first turn. The pair cleared by three lengths over their rivals with a :28.2 opening quarter.
The field remained in straight alignment past the half in :59, with Sparks N Fire controlling the tempo.
Heading into the backstretch, longshot Skull N Crossbones (Chris Page) tipped to the outside and tried to advance on Sparks N Fire and Swelce but stalled past the three-quarters in 1:28 as the leaders drew clear.
Turning for home, Wilder sent Swelce to the outside and wore down Sparks N Fire in the final strides to win in 1:55.
Owned by Kathy Gorby, Nisonger Stable and Mitchell Standardbreds, the talented gelding pushed his career earnings to $66,198.
In the final $50,000 division, heavy favorite Gentleman’s Club (Downbytheseaside-See You At Peelers) won in gate-to-wire fashion.
Gentleman’s Club (Aaron Merriman) and Fires Champ (Austin Hanners) both left quickest off the wings of the gate, but Gentleman’s Club got the jump on his foes and made his way to the lead through the initial turn.
Setting fractions of :29 and :58.2, Gentleman’s Club had a very easy trip with no pressure until they reached the backstretch for the final time. When Is Parade (Chris Page) began to challenge when he advanced from third past the three-quarters in 1:26.3.
Into the final turn, Gentleman’s Club accelerated to a 2-3/4 length victory in 1:54.3.
Trained by Aaron Lambert, and owned by Anthony Licastro, he is now 2-for-2 to kick off his career, with earnings of $32,000.
Live racing resumes at MGM Northfield Park on Monday (July 14) at 6 p.m. (EDT).