Delaware, OH — Two of Ohio’s top freshman male trotters, Big Ranger and Ready Russell, finally clashed in the same division of the $140,440 Ohio Breeders Championship on Tuesday (Sept. 16) at the Delaware (Ohio) County Fairgrounds.
Coming into the race, Big Ranger was undefeated in five starts while Ready Russell had one loss in seven outings. In the much-anticipated showdown, Big Ranger (Ronnie Gillespie) took the early lead, but Ready Russell (Dan Noble) quickly applied pressure, challenging through a swift opening quarter of :26.4.
The rivals trotted head-to-head around the far turn, but the duel ended abruptly when Ready Russell broke stride, giving Big Ranger full control of the race. From there, the In Range colt coasted through fractions of :56.4 and 1:26.1 before pulling away to a commanding 6-1/2-length win in 1:56.2.
Grape Crush (Chris Lems) finished second, while Soulful Saul (Chris Page) recovered from an early miscue to take third.
Big Ranger, now six-for-six on the season, has earned $220,610 for owner Madison Global.
The second division was a front-stepping effort from Rose Run Banker (Page).
The In Range colt defeated Eleven Bang Bang (Trevor Smith) by 1-3/4 lengths, and Bitcoin King (Tyler Smith) was two lengths back in third.
Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Weaver Bruscemi and Knox Services share ownership in the winner. Ron Burke, the Delaware County Fair’s leading conditioner, is the trainer.
Battle Hill takes OBC sophomore male trot
Driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. and Battle Hill grabbed the early lead and went gate-to-wire to defeat nine rivals in the $117,490 Ohio Breeders Championship for 3-year-old male trotters in 1:54.3.
The gelded son of Marseille has now won 10 of his 19 career starts and $373,705 for owner William Hartt. He is trained by Matthew Burkholder.
Hilltop Sonar (Chris Page) made a late challenge, but came up 1 1/4-lengths short. Long shot What A Buckeye (Tyler Smith) rounded out the trifecta.
The Wednesday 22-race card, featuring the Jugette (Grade 1) and Standardbred events, will kick off at 11 a.m.