by Ayers Ratliff, Northfield Park Publicity Department

Northfield, OH — Ohio Sires Stakes racing highlighted Northfield Park’s Saturday (Sept. 1) program when 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers and trotters competed.

The colts and geldings raced in their fourth and final leg of the 2012 juvenile match-ups, their last chance to earn points to be eligible to the Ohio Sires Stakes championships. The championships will be held at Scioto Downs in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday (Sept. 8).

The trotters lined up in race five for their $25,000 leg. Final Breath (Victory Sam-First Breath) got up just in time, capturing the victory by a nose. Duane Lowe owns and trains Final Breath. Sam “Chip” Noble III drove the gelding, waiting through fractions of :29.3, :59.3 and 1:29.4 before making his sweeping move in the stretch, stopping the clock in 2:00.1.

The time represents a new lifetime mark for Final Breath and is his fourth straight victory. He has now scored six wins in nine starts, bankrolling $35,097.

Finishing behind the winner were Heza Rube, Flash Cash, Neely Spring, Chet N Spanky, Master Miracle and Masterdream Lavec.

Final Breath returned $14.40 for a $2.00 win wager.

The other Ohio Sires Stake of the evening, race nine, was the $25,000 fourth leg for freshman pacers. That Friske Feelin (Feelin Friskie-Marquee Event) was an impressive winner. He left from post eight and led his rivals from start to finish through fractions of :27.2, :56.2, 1:25.3 and 1:55.2.

Kyle Ater drove That Friskie Feelin for owners Howard Taylor, Edwin Gold and Richard Lombardo. Jim Arledge, Jr. trains That Friskie Feelin, who remains undefeated in six lifetime starts. Saturday night’s victory pushed That Friskie Feelin’s earnings to $54,658.

Crossing the wire after That Friskie Feelin were Feelin Lika Winner, My Last Chance, My Myster E, Hanky L, Phantom Flasher, Retrieve Forever, Sectionline Road and Forever Kissed.

The heavily favored winner returned $3.00 to win.