Grove City, OH — Favorites reigned supreme in the Buckeye Stallion Series opening leg for 3-year-old filly trotters and pacers at Miami Valley Gaming on Wednesday (May 1). All four divisions of trotters were won by the favorites, while three of the five pacing divisions saw the favorites win.

In the opening BSS race of the year, Esteso with Chris Lems grabbed the lead heading to three-quarters and cruised to an easy win in 1:56. It was the second win in three 2024 starts for the Dalton Walls trainee. Esteso, a Creatine filly, is owned by Walls, Bruce Soulsby, and Alan Weisenberg.

In the second division, Trevor Smith swung Maxine’s Hill three-wide at the top of the stretch and grabbed the lead mid-stretch on the way to a 2-1/2 length win in 1:57. Trained by Chris Beaver, the daughter of What The Hill won for the first time in four season’s starts. She is owned by Beaver, Donald Robinson, VIP Internet Stable, and Mark Schwartz.

Sugar Instead was an easy winner in the third division. Conrad photo.

2023 Ohio freshman filly Trotter of the Year Sugar Instead with Brett Miller was an easy winner in the third division. The Volstead filly sat mid-pack before making her move around the final turn, opening up to win by 4-1/4 lengths in 1:55.4, the fastest time of the trotting divisions. Sugar Instead was making her first start of the year for trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. and owners Joyce McClelland and Larry Wills.

In the final division for sophomore filly trotters, Tony Hall rallied Justasiam AS, the Buckeye Stallion Series 2023 2-year-old filly trotting champion, around the final turn, taking the lead late in the stretch and winning in 1:58.1. It was the first race of the year for the daughter of Lionhunter who is trained by Anette Lorentzon and owned by ACL Stuteri AB.

Flyin Bullets went gate-to-wire to win by two lengths in 1:52.1. Conrad photo.

In the first pacing division, Flyin Bullets with Brett Miller went gate-to-wire to win by two lengths in 1:52.1, the fastest of the five divisions. It was the first start of the year for the Downbytheseaside filly. Clair Umholtz trains Flyin Bullets for Umholtz & Kennedy Racing.

In the second division, Illegal with Kayne Kauffman sped off the gate and never looked back, winning by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:52.4. The daughter of Western Vintage was making her season’s debut for trainer Mike Polhamus who co-owns with Kevin McQuinn.

The first non-favorite to win came in the third division when Lady Bridgerton with Jeremy Smith went three-wide coming off the last turn and turned on the jets to blow by the leaders to win by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:52.4. It was the first start of the year for the Brian Georges trainee. Kent Walker, Travis Kelley, Benjamin Jamison, and Curt Carey own the Bit Of A Legend N filly.

Fearless Ginger with Tyler Smith went gate-to-wire to win the fourth division in 1:54. The daughter of Fear The Dragon fought off a late charge from Rock Ur Wings to win for the first time in three 2024 starts. Tim Lane trains and owns Fearless Ginger.

The final division of the card went to Muddinup and Jeremy Smith. Smith popped the pocket and went three-wide around the final turn, rallying down the stretch to win by 1-3/4 lengths for trainer John Ackley in 1:53.2. It was the first win in three season’s starts for the Bit Of A Legend N filly who is owned by CT Stables and Thomas Cave.

Buckeye Stallion Series action continues Thursday with six divisions each of 3-year-old colt pacers and trotters.