by Dean A. Hoffman, for Scioto Downs

Columbus, OH — Doc’s Yankee got the Ohio Sires Stakes season for juveniles off to a fast start by winning the first race of the day at Scioto Downs on Saturday afternoon (July 4) in 1:55.2.

It was the fastest mile of eight OSS legs for juveniles on the holiday matinee at Scioto and the first lifetime start for the gelded son of Yankee Cruiser. Doc’s Yankee is trained by Ron Potter for the Bay Racing Stable and was driven to victory by Kyle Ater.

He was parked to the opening quarter, then grabbed control of the race and won easily by 4-3/4 lengths over Ohso What and Lonesome Cruiser.

The other three legs of the OSS for freshman pacers went to B N Bad (1:55.4), Trick Man (1:57), and Show Me Glory (1:58).

Rose Run Legend led all the way to win the fastest trotting event for OSS freshmen. Trainer Jim Dailey was in the bike behind the son of Trainforthefuture as he scampered to a 2-1/4 length victory in 2:00.3 over Wolf Creek Ted and Osmosis Jones.

The winner is owned by Jerry Zosel, Kathy Ratcliff, and Kimberly Dailey. It was the gelding’s first purse start after two winning qualifiers.

Other freshman trotting winners in OSS action were Cool Colby (2:01.3), Call The Warden (2:01.4), and Chipariffic (2:01.4).

The final of the Dream Of Glory trotting series went to Lancer Springs, a 4-year-old Lindy Lane gelding trained by Chris Beaver and driven by Chris Page. Beaver co-owns the chestnut gelding in partnership with James Gallagher and David Lang.

The 4-5 favorite Rose Run Keepsake led from the start but then broke stride with a quarter-mile remaining. Lancer Springs was pressuring her on the outside and he trotted to the lead and held off the late bids of Zippen Chip and Forever Incredible. The time was 1:58 and it was the third consecutive win for Lancer Springs.

Favored Stringtowner won a hard-fought battle in the $8,000 Open Handicap Pace, scoring in 1:53.1 by a half-length over New Begining while Jate’s Boy and Mattonthechooch dead-heated for show.

Stringtowner overcame post eight to win for trainer Bruce Riegle, driver Tony Hall, and owner Chuck Grubbs.

Also on Saturday, the 4-year-old Lis Deo made it two wins in a row with a 1:53.2 score for trainer Chris McGuire, driver Jeff Nisonger, and owner Deo Volente Farms.