Northfield, OH — Driver Aaron Merriman and trainer Chris Beaver captured both $50,000 divisions of Ohio Sires Stakes for 3-year-old colt trotters on Saturday evening (June 5) at Northfield Park.

Panzano captured the first OSS contest in a brisk 1:55.3. JJ Zamaiko photo.

Spaaaartners’ Panzano captured the first OSS contest in a brisk 1:55.3, in a dramatic, multi-length finish after stalking the leading Street Gossip (Brett Miller) throughout the mile. Both Panzano and Street Gossip left the gate at 4-5 odds, while third place Elliotstone (DeWayne Minor) was the 24-1 choice among bettors.

“Chris’ (trainer Beaver) horses are always tight and ready to race,” said Merriman, who drove the son of Coraggioso, pushing his career earnings to $139,724, with his fourth career victory in 13 starts. Panzano was bred by Chris Coyle and is the first foal out of Grace N Charlie (by SJ’s Caviar), who earned $225,830 and took a record of 1:55.4f.

Winning Ticket kept his 3-year-old unbeaten win streak intact with a front-stepping 1:54 victory in the second OSS trotting division for sophomores. With Merriman driving for Beaver, the son of Triumphant Caviar is now two-for-two in this series.

“I love this horse,” opined Beaver. “He’s the nicest son of Triumphant Caviar that I’ve trained. My goal is to keep him on track for the 3-year-old championship here at Northfield in September. He should have won last year’s 2-year-old championship but came up sick for that race.”

Lockbox (6-1) got up for second for driver Chris Page, with 45-1 longshot Omyheart finishing third for Tyler Smith.

Winning Ticket is owned by Beaver, Steve Zeehandelar, Tim Homan, and Jim Burnett and was bred by James Bender. He upped his career coffers to $197,547 with this win, the ninth of his career and fifth in as many starts this season. Winning Ticket is the second foal out of his dam, the Credit Winner mare Lotto Winner 1:56.1h ($166,461).