Northfield, OH — The dominance of sire Downbytheseaside continued as two of his sons, Bythemissal and Gulf Shores, won their respective second-leg Ohio Sires Stakes events for 3-year-old colt pacers on Saturday (June 11) at MGM Northfield Park.

In the six-horse first division, Terminator and Joe Bongiorno raced to the lead, covering the first quarter in :26.4. As the field past the quarter pole, Ronnie Wrenn Jr. pulled Bythemissal from the fourth spot and shot to the lead.

Bythemissal, the 1-9 favorite, passed the half in :54.2, leading Terminator and Buckeye Seaside. Aaron Merriman pulled Western Ready at the half and took aim on the leader, pulling to within a neck as the leader passed the three-quarter pole in 1:21.3.

As the leaders entered the final turn, Western Ready grabbed the lead as Bythemissal went off stride but came down pacing. The two battled through the final turn with Bythemissal sticking his head in front as the two hit the top of the stretch. Bythemissal held on at the wire to win by a neck in 1:50.1 and then survived a judges’ inquiry.

Bythemissal gave Ronnie Wrenn Jr. half of his Ohio Sires Stakes driving double on Saturday night with a 1:50.1 win. Casalinova photo.

Western Ready finished second with Terminator third.

It was the fourth win in four starts for Bythemissal, whom Ron Burke trains for the Burke Racing Stable, Eric Good, Rich Lombardo Racing and Weaver Bruscemi. He has now earned $68,500 this year.

In the five-horse second division, Sling Shock with Dan Noble grabbed the lead and controlled the pace through much of the race, hitting the quarter in :27, the half in :55.2 and three-quarters in 1:23. Wrenn pulled Gulf Shores as the field headed down the backstretch and reeled in the leader as they hit the final turn. The 4-5 favorite pulled away down the stretch to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:51 over Fearful Intent and Sling Shock.

Gulf Shores is trained by Brian Brown and owned by Country Club Acres, Diamond Creek Racing, and Wingfield Brothers LLC. The win was his first of the year and raised his lifetime earnings to $523,867.

Second-leg action in the Ohio Sires Stakes continues Friday (June 17) at Eldorado Scioto Downs as 3-year-old filly trotters take the track.