Grove City, OH – A total of eight divisions of 2-year-old colt pacers, filly trotters, and colt trotters will compete in the first leg of Ohio Sires Stakes action Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (July 16-18) at MGM Northfield Park.  The two divisions of freshman colt pacers carry a purse of $55,000 each while all other divisions carry $40,000 purses.

Act Fast and Chris Page win the $150,000 Next Generation at Eldorado Scioto Downs. Conrad Photo.

Act Fast will try to make it two in a row to start his career in the first division of freshman colt pacers Saturday.  Chris Page will drive the son Downbytheseaside for trainer Ron Burke.  Act Fast, the 3-2 favorite, won the $150,000 Next Generation July 4 at Eldorado Scioto Downs.  Act Fast is owned by the Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services, Rich Lombardo Racing, and Beasty LLC.

Next Generation second-place finisher Rockmelikeyameanit is the second choice at 5-2.  Billy Davis Jr will drive the McArdle gelding for trainer Christi Noble.  Rockmelikeyameanit is owned by Dennis Owens, Norman Rae Racing, and James Morris.

In the second division, Fearthelue who will be driven by Ryan Stahl for trainer Robert Brooks is the 3-1 favorite. The Fear The Dragon gelding has three wins and a second from four starts this year and is owned by Robert Brooks and will start from the second tier in post nine.

Surfside Beach is the second choice at 7-2.  Ronnie Wrenn Jr. will drive for trainer Brian Brown.  The Downbytheseaside gelding is owned by Lombardo Racing & In The Gym, Acadia Farms, VIP Internet Stables, and Joe Sbrocco.

Ten of the 17 freshman pacers are sired by Downbytheseaside.

Sunday night, three divisions of freshman filly trotters highlight the Northfield Park 15-race card.  A total of 26 freshman filly are scheduled to take the track

In the first division, Aaron Merriman will drive the 8-5 favorite, Cali Red, for trainer Chris Beaver.  Cali Red finished third in her only start of the year, the Next Generation.  The daughter of Triumphant Caviar is owned by Beaver and Sandra Burnett.

The second choice at 5-2 is Smokinhotirishgirl owned by The Stable Smokinhotirish and Hutchison Harness.  Anthony MacDonald drives the Uncle Peter filly for trainer Jason McGinnis.

A wide-open field of nine will go behind the gate for the second division.  First time starters are the top two choices, Along In Time is the favorite at 7-2, while Rose Run Yolanda is the second choice at 4-1.

Don Irvine Jr. will handle the lines for Along In Time.  Garry Martin trains and co-owns the daughter of Long Tom with B. Kleinberg Racing.

Black Magic Racing’s Rose Run Yolanda is trained by Todd Luther and will be driven by Trevor Smith.

In the third division, Next Generation winner Swinging Senorita is the 8-5 favorite.  Jason McGinnis trains, and Anthony MacDonald drives for the Thestable Senorita Group and Hutchison Harness.  Swinging Senorita, a What The Hill filly, has won two of three starts and has earned $80,750 this year.

Second choice (3-1) Truly Relentless has finished second in both of her starts including the Next Generation.  Chris Lems drives for trainer Steve Cross.  The daughter of Long Tom is owned by Richard Gutnick, Thomas Pontone, and Joseph Lozito Jr.

Three divisions of 25 colt trotters will highlight Monday night’s card at Northfield Park.

In the first division, five first time starters will go behind the gate.  The other three have one start under their belt with 2-1 favorite John Dutton the only one to hit the board, a second-place finish.  Ron Burke trains and Chris Page drives the son of What The Hill.  John Dutton is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services, Johnny Yoder, and RAS Racing.

In the second division, Kayne Kaufman will drive the 5-2 favorite Rumble Strips for trainer Mike Polhamus.  The Long Tom colt was third in his only start.  Constance Polhamus and Mary Beth Walters own Rumble Strips.

Second choice Covid Cartel is the only winner of the nine trotters.  The son of Enterprise is trained by John Wengerd and driven by Greg Grismore.  Covid Cartel is owned by Norstar Stable.

Black Magic (6-5) will look for his fourth win in as many starts for trainer Steve Cross in the third division.  Black Magic has earned $82,750 in his three wins.  Richard Gutnick, Thomas Pontone, and Joseph Lozito Jr own the Full Count colt.

Allen Miller owns and trains the second choice (3-1), Stumpy.  Ryan Stahl will drive the What The Hill gelding.

Post time for all three days of racing is 6 p.m.

For more information, contact Frank Fraas at ffraas@ohha.com or 614-221-3650.

The Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association (OHHA) is a non-profit organization serving Standardbred horse owners, breeders, trainers, drivers, and fans who participate in the sport of harness racing in the Buckeye State.

OHHA was founded in 1953. The mission of the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association is to preserve, protect, promote, and serve the entire Standardbred industry in Ohio and beyond.