by Kimberly Rinker, OSDF Administrator
Northfield, OH — Three $40,000 divisions Ohio Sires Stakes (OSS) for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings were contested Saturday night (August 13) over a sloppy track at Northfield Park, with trainer Brian Brown harnessing two of the victors.
A total of 21 laterally-gaited equines went postward in the fourth leg of the series for Buckeye-sired sophomores, with Brown tightening the girth on division one winner Whataboy and third division winner Friskie Cruiser.
JJ Zamaiko photo
Whataboy upped his bankroll to $136,554 with a triumph in OSS action.
Even-money favorite Whataboy used a three-wide move down the Northfield backstretch to charge ahead of Rocknroll Wildcats (Brett Miller) and World Of Gaming (Danny Noble), who had been dueling through fractions of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:24.2. Driver Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., urged the son of Big Bad John who took command to sweep under the wire first in 1:53. The win pushed his seasonal earnings to $93,880 and his career earnings to $136,554.
Whataboy now has four wins this year in 12 starts and five lifetime victories in 22 trips postward. Canadia’s Bakin finished second, while Little Woody got up for third. Whataboy was bred by the Dm Stables of Florida and is owned by Carl Howard, Gerrie Tucker and RBH Ventures Inc.
Friskie Cruisier and driver Kayne Kauffman held off multiple challenges throughout their division to win in 1:54 under wraps. The son of Feelin Friskie paced strong through panels of :27.1, :56.2, and 1:24.3 to notch career win five in his 17th lifetime start. Gotmoneyinmypocket notched second, while Smoke Up Johnny garnered show honors.
Owned by breeder Stephen Sexton, Friskie Cruiser now has $189,121 in his career bank account and $48,500 earned this year.
Trainer Ron Burke sent 1-9 favorite Winwood Mac postward in the second OSS division and the Canyon Wind gelding responded with a front-stepping 1:51.3 victory. Winwood Mac paced briskly through fractions of :27.2, :56 and 1:23.4 without incident for driver Chris Page. Winna Winna finished second, with Hustling Charley getting up for third.
It was Winwood Mac’s fourth win of the season in 14 starts and pushed his 2016 earnings to $99,065 for owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Phillip Collura. He was bred by the Michigan-based Winwood Farm and now has $137,548 in his career coffers