Northfield, OH — Currently fourth in earnings as a sire in North America, Ready For Moni swept all three divisions of the Ohio Sires Stakes for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters on Wednesday (July 23) at MGM Northfield Park.
Water Slide (Aaron Merriman), a $37,000 Lexington Selected yearling purchase broke his maiden during Wednesday’s first $50,000 division in front end fashion.
Favorite Rose Run Boom (Brett Miller) and Eleven Bang Bang (Trevor Smith) were quickest into stride entering the first turn.
As they entered the backstretch Rose Run Boom took over the lead, while Eleven Bang Bang was guided back into the fourth position behind Water Slide (Ready For Moni-Above The Clouds) and Where Theres Smoke (Justin Irvine).
The lead for Rose Run Boom was short lived, however as he made a break, allowing Water Slide to inherit the lead before the :30.3 first quarter.
Water Slide maintained a 2-3/4 length margin through a :59.4 half with pressure coming in the form of Bitcoin King (Tyler Smith) who began a first over bid for the lead.
Bitcoin King got within a length of the lead, but at three-quarters in 1:29, Merriman asked Water Slide for more and he took off, repelling his rivals.
Through the stretch, Water Slide was confidently handled by Merriman winning by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:58.1. Eleven Bang Bang closed to be second, while Bitcoin King held on for third.
Owned by trainer Christopher Beaver, Michael Carter, Barry Carter and the VIP Internet Stable, the gelding pushed his career earnings to $38,580.
Ready Russell (Dan Noble) got a ground saving trip in the second $50,000 division, winning decisively in 1:56.4.
Max The Mighty (Merriman) left the hardest, quickly clearing rivals entering the first turn.
As the field entered the backstretch, Come N Get Me (Chris Page), who had made his way into the pocket made a break. The miscue allowed Ready Russell (Ready For Moni-Fortheloveoflindy) to grab the second spot before a :29.1 first quarter.
With the field in straight alignment, Max The Mighty kicked clear to a 1-3/4 length lead at the half in :59.1.
At the three-quarters in 1:28, Noble tipped Ready Russell to the outside to take his shot at Max The Mighty. The pair dueled to the top of the stretch, but Ready Russell proved to be too good, winning by 4-3/4 lengths.
The $37,000 Ohio Selected yearling purchase is owned by Jeff Fought Racing, Brian Carsey and David Fought.
Trained by Deborah Swartz, the talented gelding is now undefeated in three starts and has $56,000 in career earnings.
Special Moni (Tyler Smith) rebounded from leg one of the Ohio Sires Stakes, closing from off the pace to take the third $50,000 division.
With a pair of breakers early, that allowed Ur Ride Is Here (Brady Brown) to be hustled off the gate, dueling with Emerald Tom (Anthony MacDonald) around the first turn.
Entering the backstretch, Ur Ride Is Here was able to clear Emerald Tom and got to the quarter in a blistering :28.4.
Brown was able to work out a :30.3 second quarter with longshot Ur Ride Is Here, but that was all the breathers he was going to get.
Special Money (Ready For Moni-Special Invitation) was sent to the outside with heavy favorite Rose Run Banker (Chris Page) on his back second over.
While the outer flow gradually advanced forward, Ur Ride Is Here proved strong on the lead getting to three-quarters in 1:28.2.
Through the stretch Ur Ride Is Here gave way and Special Moni stormed by holding off a game Rose Run Bankers in 1:58.3. Ur Ride Is Here dug in to be third.
Owned by Christopher Beaver, Spaaaartners and Tim Homan, the Chris Beaver trainee pushed his career earnings to $25,000 with the maiden victory.
Live racing is set to resume on Saturday (July 26) featuring a 19-race Summit County Fair program that gets underway at 5:15 p.m.