Dayton, OH – Friday night (Sept. 26) was the first of two nights of Ohio Sire Stake finals action at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, with seven $100,000 OSS Gray events.
On the OSS undercard was a $28,000 Open Handicap Pace.
When the gates wings folded, Kayne Kauffman hustled the long-shot Twin B Seamonster for the lead. Wicked Character (Chris Page), the 2023 OSS 3-year-old colt pace champion, was quick to challenge at the quarter in :27.1.
Wicked Character took over as the field pasted the grandstand for the first time. The 1-5 bettor’s choice, Celtic Spirit N (Tony Hall) was parked in second, Twin B Seamonster was third on the rail and Mufferaw Joe (Dexter Dunn) parked in fourth at the half in :55.1.
The top four remained unchanged past the three-quarters in 1:22.2.
Then the field of nine straightened for the wire, the 5-year-old son on Yankee Cruiser used a :28.1 final quarter to draw clear over Celtic Spriit N by 1-1/4 lengths. A closing Joelsyy Hanover (Sam Widger) passed Mufferaw Joe for third.
Wicked Character won for the seventh time this season and 20th time during his career for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Winterwood Farm.
Trainer Ron Burke and Page would team up for four wins during the 14-race card.
In the $14,000 Conditioned Pace, I’m The One (Luke Hanners) used a four-wide move around the final turn to score a 25-1 upset.
I’m The One sat last through the first half-mile, was sixth a the three-quarters and passed the remaining five competitors in the lane to score in 1:52.1.
I’m The One edged Southbeach Hanover (Chris Page), Bronx Seelster (Austin Hanners) and Downbytheocean (Sam Widger) in a four-horse photo finish.
The winner paid $53.40 to win
Jason Moore trains the 3-year-old Papi Rob Hanover gelding for C T Stables.
Saturday’s $3.6 million card will have the $1 million (div.) Dayton Derbies and eight $300,000 Ohio Sire Stakes Scarlet Championships.
Post time for Saturday (Sept. 27) will be 6:30 p.m.