Delaware, OH — Double millionaire M-M’s Dream led the parade of stakes events that comprised the Jug Day (Thursday, Sept. 18) undercard at the Delaware County Fair.
M-M’s Dream prevails in Miss Versatility
M-M’s Dream (Yannick Gingras) has been near the top of the division her entire career and today was no different in the $94,000 Miss Versatility final (Grade 3) on the Little Brown Jug undercard.
The Swan For All mare grabbed the early lead, controlled the fractions and held off late challenges from Call Me Goo (Tim Tetrick) by a half length and Bravo Angel S (Jason Bartlett) by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:53.
The 6-year-old mare is owned by Hillside Stables and Frank Baldachino.
M-M’s Dream has amassed $2,049,167 during her 64-race career.
The Miss Versatility series is presented by Allerage Farms.
Old Oaken Bucket to Cheers Hanover
Cheers Hanover (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) wore down the pacesetting Whiskey Wow (David Miller) and held off a rally by Lefties Righties (Braxten Boyd) to win the $103,500 Old Oaken Bucket (Grade 3) for sophomore male trotters.
The winning time was 1:54.4.
Cheers Hanover won for the fifth time this season and the ninth time during his career. The Bar Hopping gelding has won $254,848 for the partnership of Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, James Simpson and J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby.
Divine Thing takes Buckette
Country Victory (David Miller) looked to have things under control in the $81,400 Buckette (Grade 3), for 3-year-old trotting fillies, until Divine Thing (Todd McCarthy) found enough daylight in the stretch to sprint clear in 1:53.2.
Country Victory held on for second and Santa Cristina (Scott Zeron) finished five lengths back in third.
Divine Thing has won three straight races for the ownership group of Jay Mossbarger, Brent Hopper and Kyle Gray. Steve Carter trains the Greenshoe filly.
Prolific Fire establishes stakes record in Ohio Breeders Championship
Greg Luther Racing’s Prolific Fire overcame the second-tier starting position and crushed her eight opponents in the $116,140 Ohio Breeders Championship for 3-year-old pacing fillies by 10 lengths in a stakes record 1:51.
Austin Hanners got the winner away in third, took the lead past the half-mile station, and cruised home ahead of The Word Is Out (Chris Page) and Anna Loves Bananas (Aaron Merriman).
The Catch The Fire filly pushed her career earnings to $267,445.
Rick Wink victorious in Ohio Breeders Championship
Under a confident drive by Chris Page, Rick Wink took the $116,440 Ohio Breeders Championship for 3-year-old male pacers in 1:50.4.
Leaving the gate from post four, Downbythewater (Dexter Dunn) got positioned near the front, followed by Swingtown (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.). At the first quarter pole, Swingtown held the lead in :27.1 with Rick Wink parked second on the outside.
Before they reached the halfway mark, Rick Wink grabbed the lead in :55.3. Positions remained unchanged past the three quarters in 1:24.2.
At the final turn, Swingtown made one final attempt to close in on his stablemate, but his late bid proved unsuccessful. Rick Wink won by a head over Swingtown. It was another 1 ¼ lengths back to Downbythewater.
The son of Bit Of A Legend N has won five of 11 starts this season and 13 of 20 lifetime. He has earned $589,970 lifetime.
Ron Burke trains the winner for Burke Racing Stable, RAS Racing, Knox Services and J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby.