Geocentric (Sweet Lou-Geometry) threw down a :26.3 final panel en route to a 1:49.4 mile, the fastest clocking for any 2-year-old pacer this year, in her $80,000 first-round division of the Kentucky Sire Stakes on Tuesday (Aug. 1) at the Red Mile. The program also featured an $80,000 Sire Stakes split for 3-year-old trotting fillies, as well as three $30,000 Kentucky Commonwealth Series splits and four $15,000 Kentucky Goldenrod Series divisions, likewise featuring 2-year-old pacing fillies and 3-year-old trotting fillies.
Author: by Kimberly French, for the Red Mile
Walner Payton seeks sweet Hambo Oaks win
With a name strikingly similar to that of the great Chicago Bears running back Walter “Sweetness” Payton, 3-year-old filly trotter Walner Payton will aim to score a touchdown of her own this Saturday afternoon (Aug. 5) at the Meadowlands in the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks.
Merriman doubles up in Ohio Sires Stakes
Aaron Merriman won the first two of three $40,000 Ohio Sires Stakes divisions for freshman pacing colts Saturday night (July 29) at Eldorado Scioto Downs as all three division winners established new lifetime marks.
Grace Hill, Charlie May take Scioto Invitationals
The Eldorado Scioto Downs track keeps producing speed, with two more track records broken Saturday (July 29), including the one for older pacing mares in the $100,000 Cleopatra Invitational, which Grace Hill won by a nose in 1:48.4.
‘Sylvia’ super in Geers at Big M
It appeared all hope was lost, but once again, the great Sylvia Hanover overcame adversity to win a 12th straight start Saturday night (July 29), scoring in one of two divisions of the Geers Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies at the Meadowlands. Purses in excess of $30,000 were offered on the four Geers events on the card.
Burke locked, loaded off sweep of Hambletonian elims
Just six years ago, Ron Burke nearly had his first Hambletonian victory before What The Hill suffered the only disqualification of a first-place finisher in the race’s history. He and Yannick Gingras, also still chasing a win in the American classic, exited Saturday night (July 29) at the Meadowlands primed and ripe for revenge after sweeping the pair of $100,000 Hambletonian eliminations.
Walner Payton, Heart On Fire crush favorites in Oaks elims
Walner Payton and driver Dexter Dunn made a strong move to take the lead and never relinquished control to win the first $40,000 Hambletonian Oaks elimination in 1:51.4 on Saturday night (July 29) at the Meadowlands, and a shocking 36-1 upset performance by Heart On Fire, handled by Todd McCarthy, was the highlight of the second Oaks elimination.
Cummings, Morrill, Smith score big at Batavia
Wins were coming fast and furious for three top horsemen at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (July 29), and some impressive performances were put in by the horses they scored with.
Tomas wins Vernon Downs Open Pace
Tomas and trainer-driver Artie Dick went from last to first and won the $8,500 Open Pace on Saturday (July 29) at Vernon Downs.
OHHA to wrap up weekend with two live streams
The Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association (OHHA) will continue its 2023 Ohio County Fair racing season with live streaming coverage from two fairs on Sunday (July 30).