by Dean Hoffman

Columbus, Oh — Two talented pacing fillies battled through the Scioto Downs stretch in an Ohio Sires Stakes on Friday and when they hit the wire, the camera couldn’t separate them.

Holdzmfromfloppin and Best Of Ball dead-heated in 1:54 to share the victory.

Best Of Ball took the lead for trainer-driver Jim Dailey passing the stands the first time and held sway until the final strides. Aaron Merriman shot Holszmfromfloppin, trained by his father Lanny, up the inside to draw even with the pacesetter.

Holdszmfromfloppin is owned by Calvin and Margaret Gandolf while Best Of Ball is the property of the Down The Lane Stables.

Robinmeblind was third, 3-1/2 lengths behind the winners.

In the other division of the OSS for sophomore pacing fillies, Lavish Liz came from behind with a three-wide move in the final quarter to win over Hoosier Cruiser and Stablecreekcruiser. Chip Noble drove the winning filly for James Coffman and Martha Handschumaker. Her time was 1:53.2. Mike Conklin trains the winner.

Sophomore trotting fillies competed in two OSS splits and they put on a good show for the large Friday night crowd. Get Chipped, the odds-on favorite, was driven confidently by Russell Swartz and she rebuffed a challenge from Rose Run Keepsake to win by a neck in 1:57.4. Fox Avenue Mom was third.

Marty Wollam trains Get Chipped for Acadia Farms and Pat Holden.

The other OSS division for trotters went to the consistent Mocha Jo and trainer-driver Chip Noble in 1:58.2. He sent her to the lead in the second quarter and she held off a fast-finishing Allthatnabagofchip to win by a nose. Chippednstrawberry grabbed third money.

Mocha Jo was bred and is owned by Patricia Davis of Cedarville.