Northfield, OH – Trainer Ron Burke took home victories in both of the $65,000 divisions of Ohio Sires Stakes for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Saturday (June 7) at MGM Northfield Park.
In the first division, Rick Wink (Chris Page) left alertly with Extra Suds (Brett Miller) and Jon I Love Dat (Aaron Merriman).
Rick Wink was taken back into third, allowing Extra Suds and Jon I Love Dat to duel for the lead. Extra Suds worked past Jon I Love Dat entering the backstretch getting to the quarter in :27.2.
Extra Suds, the 3-year-old Pinto by Lather Up, got to the half in :55 with the field in straight alignment.
With three-eighths of a mile left to pace, heavy favorite Rick Wink was given the green light from Page and the response was instant as he powered past to the lead before three-quarters in 1:22.4.
Through the stretch, Rick Wink was hand driven winning by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:50.
Bred by Larry Miller, and owned by Burke Racing Stable, R A S Racing & Knox Services, and J&T Silva-Purnel&Libby, the 3-year-old colt by Bit Of A Legend N now has career earnings of $340,750.
In the second division, stablemate Fear The Heat after being parked for part of the first quarter mile, scored an impressive 1-1/2 length victory.
Downbythewater (Chris Lems) sprinted off the wings from post seven, he ended up three deep outside of Unique Catch (Matt Kakaley) and Billion (Kayne Kauffman) around the first turn.
Entering the backstretch, Lems asked Downbythewater to go forward, and he responded powering past Unique Catch.
That lead, however, was short lived as Fear The Hate (Chris Page) was guided to the outside to challenge Downbythewater for the lead past a :27.2 first quarter.
Page was able to clear with Fear The Hate entering the far turn for the first time.
Fear The Hate got a second quarter breather, getting to the half in :56, with Seaside Deli (Aaron Merriman) and the grey Mama Said Zip It (Jeremy Smith) rolling on the outside first and second over, respectively.
At the three-quarters in 1:24, Fear The Hate had no challenges and that would not change in the final quarter mile as he drew off to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:52.1.
Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Knox Services, the 3-year-old by Fear The Dragon improved to $110,750 in career earnings.
Emerald Highlands Farms bred Fear The Hate.