Grove City, OH — Brett Miller doubled up on Monday (July 22) as the second leg of the Buckeye Stallion Series for 2-year-old colt pacers took the stage at MGM Northfield Park. Six divisions went to post, each carrying a purse of $20,000.
Miller swept the first two divisions with Mr Mcdragon and Spartan Hill.
Miller and Mr Mcdragon refused to sit in the pocket, taking back the lead twice before the :28 opening panel in the first division. The son of Fear The Dragon pulled away to set remaining fractions in :58 and 1:26 before cruising across the finish line in 1:54. The victory marks the first career win for Mr Mcdragon. Steve Carter trains for Jeff Fought Racing, Adam Freidland, Hunter Holton, and Ryan Holton. Johnny Up (Chris Lems) rallied for second while Seaside Star (Aaron Merriman) finished third.
Miller’s other win came in the second division with Spartan Hill in 1:55.3. The Racing Hill gelding grabbed the early lead but settled in behind the betting favorite, De Dragon (Luke Hanners) as the field moved toward the half. Spartan Hill changed gears at the top of the stretch, flying by to trip the wire for the fourth time in five starts. The Steve Novak trainee is owned by Gerald Mijal. De Dragon held on for second with The Onyx Dragon (Eric Goodell) third.
The duo of Chris Page and Ron Burke teamed up to take the third division with Oh Beach Please. Page gave Oh Beach Please a patient drive, sitting fourth along the rail until cover came along. The Fear The Dragon gelding dug in to win in 1:56.3. It was the pacer’s first victory for owners Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services, J&T Silva – Purnel & Libby, and R A S Racing. Up Again (Dan Noble) finished second and Fortunesfool (Tyler Smith) rounded out the top three.
Jon I Love Dat won the fourth division in wire-to-wire fashion in 1:55.3. Merriman guided the Downbytheseaside colt to set fractions in :27.4, :57.4, and 1:26.1. The victory marks the first win for Jon I Love Dat. Ryan Miller conditions the pacer for Robert Lovett. Butchershop Buck (Noble) was second with Fear The Thunder (Austin Hanners) in third.
In the fifth division, Catch The Express won by a nose in 1:55.4. Trainer-driver Ronnie Gillespie gave the son of Catch The Fire a conservative trip along the rail. Catch The Express shook free at the top of the stretch to break his maiden in the final stride. Fond Of Dancin (Smith) finished second while Rose Run Ajay (Anthony MacDonald) held on for third.
Jbmagic (Luke Hanners) is two for two in the Buckeye Stallion Series after winning the sixth division in 1:55.1. Despite going three-wide at the quarter pole, the gelded son of Fear The Dragon held off all challengers. Trained by Tyler Bates, Jbmagic has four victories in five starts. The gelding has amassed $24,105 for owner Robert Geist.
Buckeye Stallion Series action continues Tuesday (July 23) at Eldorado Scioto Downs. Five divisions of the second leg for 2-year-old filly trotters will go forth. First race post time is 5:45 p.m.