Northfield, OH — MGM Northfield Park played host to six $20,000 divisions of the Buckeye Stallion Series for 2-year-old filly pacers on Wednesday (July 23) at MGM Northfield Park.
Driver Chris Page was red hot on Wednesday, with three victories in the series.
Page wasted no time making his way to the winners’ circle as he guided Queen Valerie (Summa Cum Laude-De Valeria) to victory in the opening division.
Queen Valerie, Moonlight Ride (Justin Irvine), and Baxter Tough (Tyler Smith) all jostled for position into the first turn, with Queen Valerie clearing rivals before the field entered the backstretch.
Not content to sit in the three hole, Smith forged forward with Baxter Tough, gaining control of the lead before the :28.3 first quarter.
Maintaining a 2-1/4 length lead at the half in :58.3, Baxter Tough looked tough on the lead with no one applying pressure.
At the three-quarters in 1:26.4, Baxter Tough dueled with Moonlight Ride who began a first-over bid for the lead with three-eighths of a mile left to pace.
Through the stretch, Moonlight Ride gave way, Queen Valerie was driven into the passing lane, and Prolific Shark (Austin Hanners) made up a lot of ground on Baxter Tough on the grandstand side.
Queen Valerie’s bid up the inside was the best of the three, as she won by three-quarters of a length in 1:57. Prolific Shark finished second, while Baxter Tough finished third.
Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Knox Services, and R A S Racing, the Ron Burke trainee broke her maiden on Wednesday, pushing her career earnings to $15,000.
Page doubled up winning the next race, as he guided Ron Steck trainee, Seaside Angel (Downbytheseaside-Band Of Angels), to a game victory over Beach Babe Hanover (Chris Lems).
Beach Babe Hanover and Seaside Angel were both hustled off the wings into the first turn.
Page cleared with Seaside Angel heading into the backstretch and reached quarter in :28.2 with a two length advantage.
Seaside Angel continued to control the pace past the half in :58.2, with none of her foes challenging.
At the three-quarters in 1:26.3, Mingle In Dingle (Cameron McCown) was sent to the outside to take on the leaders.
Through the stretch, Seaside Angel was asked for more by Page and she held off a closing Beach Babe Hanover by a half-length in 1:55.1. Mingle In Dingle, who stalled turning for home, dug in late to be third.
Owned by Bootville Stables and trainer, Ron Steck. the talented filly remains undefeated with two victories and $16,000 in career earnings.
Page’s hot night didn’t end there, as he teamed up again with trainer Ron Burke to score a gate-to-wire victory with Lil Kiesha (Summa Cum Laude-Lakeisha Hall) in the evening’s fourth division.
Lil Keisha was guided off the gate by Page and cleared rivals entering the first turn.
Heavy favorite, Jamie Amanda (Tyler Smith), was on her back entering the backstretch, but Lil Keisha began to tap the breaks on the front end, and reached the quarter in :29.
At the half in a leisurely :59.3, Lil Keisha opened up a two-length lead on the field, but entering the backstretch the pressure started to come in the form of a first-over Jamie Amanda, second-over Katie’s On Fire (Austin Hanners) and pocket sitting Fool Me Twice (Brady Galliers).
Past the three-quarters in 1:28.3, it looked like Jamie Amanda would go right on by, but Lil Keisha had something left in the tank and showed the heart of a champion, digging in to win by a half-length in 1:57.1. Jamie Amanda had to settle for second and Katie’s On Fire was a strong third.
Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, and Jack Piatt II, Lil Keisha broke her maiden and pushed her career earnings to $10,600.
Sire, Lather Up, doubled up on the program sporting victories with Rhodena Blue (Lather Up-Mc Taylor) and Eyes Up (Lather Up-Dazzling Rockette).
Sire, Fear The Dragon, had a victory on the program as well with City Of Fear (Fear The Dragon-City Delight) in 1:57.1.
Live racing is set to resume at MGM Northfield Park on Saturday (July 26) with a 19-race Summit County Fair program. Post time is 5:15 p.m.
Hat trick for Page in Buckeye Stallion Series at MGM Northfield Park