by Tom White, publicity director, The Little Brown Jug

Delaware, OH — Curly Top trotted to a stakes and national season’s record 1:55.2 to win her division of the $43,234 Ohio Breeders Championship for 3-year-old filly trotters on opening day (Sunday, Sept. 20) at the Delaware, Ohio Fair. Striking Lauren captured the second division in 2:00.1.

The victory was Curly Top’s 12th of the season in 22 starts and increased her 2009 earnings to $74,210 for owner-trainer Jerry Lighthill of Wauseon, Ohio. The daughter of Emily Angus also captured the $80,000 Ohio Sires Stakes Championship at Northfield Park.

Driver Aaron Merriman moved Curly Top into an early lead and never looked back, beating Rose Run Keepsake by 3-3/4 lengths with Get Chipped third.

Striking Lauren, driven by Ray Paver, moved from third at the top of the stretch to edge Mini Marvelous and Mocha Jo for only her third victory of the season. The Chip Chip Hooray filly is owned by trainer Danny Collins of Columbus, Ohio, Jerry Sommers of Pickerington, Ohio and John Rhoads, Jr. of Circleville, Ohio.

Shez Good Osborne wins OBC freshman filly pace

Shez Good Osborne slipped her head in front at the wire to win the $55,834 Ohio Breeders Championship 2-year-old filly pace in 1:56.4.

Ryan Stahl powered the Mantacular-Myopia’s Mop filly on the outside to nip Up Front Cruiser and Rub Thing for her fourth win in 2009. Previously unbeaten Hawk’s Cry Electra cut the fractions in the mile but made a break just before the wire and finished fifth placed eighth.

Owned by Jerome Osborne and trained by Eric Hamlet, Shez Good Osborne paid $95.20, $29.80 and $10.40.