by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Manager

Delaware, OH — The Standardbred Stakes for freshman pacers and trotters were contested as part of the Little Brown Jug day card at the Delaware, Ohio Fair on Thursday (Sept. 24).

In the $39,863 first division of the Standardbred for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters, Terry and Cynthia Kinsley’s Quantum Lightning scored in a time of 1:58, a national season’s record for a freshman on a half-mile track. Brad Hanners was in the bike for trainer Jeff Smith as the Like A Prayer-Italiana Chip colt won for the fourth time in eight lifetime starts, improving his bankroll to $114,188. Defend The Rock (Ron Pierce) finished second, one length behind the winner, while Telephoto K (Dave Palone) was third.

In the second $39,863 division of the Standardbred 2-year-old colt and gelding trot, Hatfield Stables’ Kentucky Wildcat broke his maiden with a 2:00 triumph for driver Peter Wrenn. The Valley Victor-Expressive Chip gelding, trained by Peter Foley, defeated North Broadway (Kyle Bolon) with My D Sammy (Jimmy Smith). With the victory, Kentucky Wildcat more than doubled his lifetime earnings to $34,137.

Aqua Artist wins Standardbred 2-year-old filly pace

Aqua Artist (Dave Palone) came from off the pace to defeat Lovely Dawn (Peter Wrenn) at the wire to win the lone division of the $60,826 Standardbred for freshman pacing fillies.

The Artsplace-Aquatic Yankee miss tripped the timer in 1:55.4 for her third lifetime win in seven trips behind the gate. Trained by Mike Conklin for owners Harold Lee Bauder, Michael Dixon, and Harold Bauder, Aqua Artist’s share of the purse puts her earnings at $34,247.

Sand Windsor and David Miller cut the fractions in this race, :28.3, :57.1 and 1:26, but they faded in the stretch to sixth. The winner took advantage of the pocket trip to outduel Lovely Dawn in the stretch by a neck, with Allswelthatendswel (Tim Tetrick) finishing third.

Onemoreroundocrown, Just Crowned win Standardbred 2-year-old colt pace splits

Miller’s Stable Inc.-owned pupils swept both $39,863 divisions of the Standardbred for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers.

Onemoreroundocrown set a national season’s record of 1:54.1 for a freshman pacing gelding on a half-mile track in winning the first division. Trace Tetrick was in the bike for trainer Bobby Brower as the Real Desire-Dontsqueezethebaby gelding posted his fourth win in 13 trips behind the gate. He has now earned $69,378 in his career.

Onemoreroundocrown defeated Roys Beach Boy (Dan Noble) by a head with Tidewater Teddy (Matt Kakaley) third.

In the second division of the Standardbred for juvenile pacing males, Just Crowned posted his third lifetime win and ran his winnings up to $24,773 with a 1:56 triumph.

David Miller was in the bike for trainer Jim Arledge, Jr. as the Artsplace-Princess Justice colt defeated He’s The Bomb (Dave Palone) by a half-length, with Sandragon Mindale (Tim Tetrick) third.