Grove City, OH — Two 2021 Buckeye Stallion Series champions will begin defense of their titles in the first leg of the series starting Sunday (May 1) at Miami Valley Raceway.

Miss Cowboy Star, the 2-year-old filly trot champion and All Gas No Brakes, the 2-year-old colt trot champion are both scheduled to race in the first leg of the $17,500 Buckeye Stallion Series.

The pacing champions from last year, filly champ Bittrsweetsymphony and colt champ Western Ready have their sights set on the Ohio Sires Stakes to start the year.

Miss Cowboy Star, the daughter of Long Tom, will make her second start of the season on Sunday. Conrad photo.

Miss Cowboy Star, the daughter of Long Tom, will make her second start of the season on Sunday. In her first race of the year, an elimination for the James K. Hackett Memorial, she broke stride at the start and was never a factor.

“We were hoping that she would be a Sires Stakes horse this year, but after making her break we are just going to start her in Buckeye Stallion Series first,” said trainer J. Duke Sugg.

Last year, Miss Cowboy Star won eight of 12 races, including two legs of the Buckeye Stallion Series and the $60,000 final.

Sugg says hopefully she can build up her confidence in the Stallion Series before racing in the Sires Stakes.

“Realistically, you want to build some confidence after making a break, so it’s probably best not to start her with the best horses. I’ve always said a horse is like a prize fighter. You need to beat someone up to get stronger, but if you go against the best and get beat up, they go the other way.”

All Gas No Brakes has started three times in 2022. Casalinova photo.

All Gas No Brakes has started three times in 2022. His best finish so far was a third-place finish in his first start of the year.

Trainer Todd Luther says they are still fine-tuning things.

“Last week I changed a couple pieces of equipment, and it really didn’t sit well with him. We’ll go back to where he was and see where he is for the Stallion Series.”

Luther says the son of Uncle Peter has calmed down after being hot as a 2-year-old.

“He is way more mature this year. He is a nice horse and has a lot of speed.”

Luther and Sugg agree that it is difficult to repeat as a champion.

“You don’t know if there is a sleeper that didn’t race last year, you have health issues and soundness,” said Luther. “Sometimes you don’t know if they have any more left in the tank because the fastest they go is as a 2-year-old.”

Sugg says times have changed.

“Back in the day it was easier because there were not as many good horses. Now there are so many horses that make it to the races, and they are so fast.”

Sugg says it comes down to post position and having some luck on your side.