Grove City, OH — Aaron Merriman found the winner’s circle three times in four Ohio Sires Stakes races Tuesday (July 18) at Eldorado Scioto Downs. Merriman swept both $55,000 divisions for freshman colt trotters and one of the $55,000 divisions for 2-year-old filly trotters.

In the first of two races for the colts and geldings, Royal Precedent with Merriman claimed the lead going to the first quarter as race favorite Tennessee Tom with Chris Page went off stride. Royal Precedent gave up the lead briefly to Rose Run Zoom and Don Irvine Jr., but quickly retook heading to the half.

The gelded son of Creatine had to fight off a late charge from Tt’s Magnum Force and Jason Thompson, holding on to win by a half-length in 1:57, a new lifetime mark. It was the second win in three starts for the Sam Schillaci trainee. Owned by Claude Gendreau Stable, Royal Precedent has earned $40,750 this year. Tt’s Magnum Force was second with Rose Run Zoom third.

Spaaaanzano was one of three OSS winners for Aaron Merriman. Conrad photo.

In the second division. Merriman piloted Spaaaanzano to his second Ohio Sires Stakes win of the year. Spaaaanzano raced to the lead and never looked back, going gate-to-wire to win in 1:57. It was the third win in as many starts for the son of Coraggioso. Chris Beaver trains and co-owns with Spaaaartners, Bill Manes, and Leo Fleming. Spaaaanzano raised his earnings to $122,500 with the victory. Commander Tom finished second with A Million In Coins third.

On the filly side, Merriman collected his first Sires Stakes win of the night as he took Possibility wire-to-wire to win in 1:56. Trained by Beaver, it was the first win in three starts for Possibility. The daughter of What The Hill is co-owned by Beaver, Bill Donovan, Joe Sbrocco, and Mark Moger. Possibility has earned $55,500 this year. She’s Spicy was second with Sister Wives finishing third.

Sugar Instead made it two-for-two in Sires Stakes starts. Sugar Instead with Ronnie Gillespie settled into the third spot through the first half-mile. Heading up the backstretch Gillespie took the Volstead filly to the lead, holding on to win in a new lifetime mark of 1:56.2. Trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. and owned by Joyce McClelland and Larry Wills, Sugar Instead has won two of three this year, earning $85,000. Iam Independent finished second with Midnight Daydream third.

Ohio Sires Stakes action continues Wednesday night at MGM Northfield Park with three divisions of 2-year-old filly pacers. First race post time is 6 p.m.