by Susan Wilson, for Lebanon Raceway

Lebanon, OH — Lebanon Raceway was host to the $25,000 Ohio Sires Stakes Championship for 4- and 5-year-old trotters on Saturday night (October 6).

With only four separate betting interests the race was contested as a non-betting early race.

Master Pine, a 4-year-old gelding by Master Lavec, out of the Pine Chip mare Pine Career, made short work of the field of five. Leaving from post position four, Master Pine and driver Kyle Ater went right to the front and never looked back. Trotting the final quarter in :28.3, Master Pine crossed the wire with a 4-1/2 length advantage over This Sands Hot, who finished second, followed by Oneforthemaster in third, stopping the timer in 1:58.2.

Winning the championship makes three wins in a row for Master Pine. Last week he was a winner here at Lebanon in the Winners Over Trot and the week prior to that, Master Pine won the Ohio Breeders Championship for 4- and 5-year-old trotters at Delaware.

Master Pine has a 2007 record of 24-5-5-5. His earnings are now over $76,000 for the year, and he has surpassed the $200,000 mark for lifetime earnings.

Master Pine is owned by the partnership of Mark Moger and Albert Delia, Jr. The training of Master Pine is handled by Dan Ater.