Northfield, OH – On what was a beautiful night for harness racing in northeast Ohio, MGM Northfield Park played host to eight $25,000 Buckeye Stallion Series Consolations on Sunday (Oct. 5). Reinsmen Dan Noble and Chris Page together put on a driving clinic, with all but one Buckeye Stallion Series consolations going to the pair.
Cruzin Tothe Pier (Downbytheseaside-Cruzin Tothe Dance) kicked the night off for Noble in the $25,000 consolation for 2-year-old filly pacers. They rolled from off the pace and won by three-quarters of a length in 1:55.2.
Things became dicey early as favorite Beach Babe Hanover (Chris Lems) was affected by a breaking Rhodena Blue before a :27.4 opening quarter. Beach Babe Hanover was able to gather herself and worked to the lead before the half in :57.3. Up the backstretch, Cruzin Tothe Pier began to roll and at the three-quarters in 1:26, she was at the throat of Beach Babe Hanover. Cruzin Tothe Pier gained the upper hand on her foes in the stretch and won convincingly. Mandaloun (Chris Page) was second and Atom Heart Mother (Cameron McCown) was third.
Cruzin Tothe Pier is conditioned by co-owner Ron Steck, and owned by Anvil and Lace Farm, Taggart Farms LLC, and Steven Jefferis. The filly was bred by Anvil and Lace Farm.
Dublin’s Breanna (Enterprise-Brimfull) won the Buckeye Stallion Series Consolation for 2-year-old trotting fillies in 1:58.3.
Cast No Stones (Aaron Merriman) set up shop on the lead and controlled the tempo through fractions of :29.4, 1:00, and 1:29. Entering the far turn, Page stepped on the gas with Dublins Breanna as she motored past Cast No Stones, drawing off late to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:58.3. Ranger Rosie (Tyler Angus) closed strongly to be second, while She’s In (Noble) finished third.
Cast No Stones is owned by the 518 Group LLC and Ryan Smith. She is trained by Vernon Beachy, who conditioned Dan Patch 3-year-old trotting filly Allegiant last season.
Noble headed back to the winner’s circle in the third $25,000 Consolation for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters with Ready for Sunshine (Ready For Moni-A Ray Of Sunshine).
After clearing rivals entering the first turn, Ready for Sunshine motored to an opening quarter of :28.4.
As the field raced up the backstretch for the final time, it appeared as if Ready for Sunshine would win easily, but Uncle Danny (Anthony MacDonald) began to challenge the leader.
Turning for home, Uncle Danny and Dan’s Victory (Chris Lems) both tried to collar the leader, but Ready for Sunshine dug down deep with the heart of a champion and won by a neck in 1:58.3. Owned by Robert Laniewicz, the colt is trained by Jason McGinnis.
Noble wasted no time getting back to the winner’s circle as he guided Aunt Lilly to a Buckeye Stallion Series Consolation victory for 3-year-old trotting fillies, one race later.
Aunt Lilly (Uncle Peter-Chuckys Luckycharm) had the perfect trip. She fired off the back of Sienna Sunrise (Page) late to win by a half-length in 1:56.3. Sienna Sunrise easily made the front entering the first turn and set modest fractions of :28.4, 58.3, and 1:27. Through the stretch, Aunt Lilly proved to be dominant as she powered past her rivals. The filly is trained by Steve Carter, and owned by KAD Farms LLC.
Rock Son (Page) used the rail to his advantage and won the Buckeye Stallion Series Consolation for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings.
Rock Son (Pet Rock-Last Sam Standing) wasted no time defending pylon position, and cleared his rivals entering the first turn and got to the quarter in :27.4. Tsunami Beach (Luke Hanners) tried to overtake Rock Son as the field approached the half in :57.4. At the three-quarters in 1:26.3, Page began to edge away from the field with Rock Son and drew off to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:55.
Rock Son is co-owned by Trainer Charles Neff and Greg Mackanos.
Countryofmars (Marseille-Pine Country) was victorious in the $25,000 Buckeye Stallion Series for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters.
Heavy Favorite Countryofmars made the front before the quarter in :27.3, but Skyway Slick (Jason Beattie), parked from the word go continued to apply pressure. The pair battled through much of the final three-quarters of a mile, but as the field turned for home Countryofmars was all class, winning by three lengths in 1:56.3.
He is owned by James & Patty Borowski and trained by Jason Borowski.
Bars And Notes made every pole a winning one in the $25,000 Buckeye Stallion Series consolation for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers.
Parked to the opening quarter in :27.3 by Moons Up (Aaron Merriman), Bars And Notes (Racing Hill-Pure Note) made the lead entering the far turn for the first time. Page worked out a second quarter breather, arriving at the half in :57.2. While everyone seemed to take their shot at Bars And Notes, he managed to shrug them all off as he drew off in the stretch by 1-1/2 lengths, winning in 1:53. Moons Up was second, Butchershop Buck finished third.
Bars And Notes is owned by the partnership of Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, and Knox Services. The sports leading trainer Ron Burke conditions.
Driver Cameron McCown was the only thing stopping Noble and Page from sweeping the Buckeye Stallion Series program as he scored in the final consolation with Lona Dune.
Live racing resumes at MGM Northfield Park on Monday (Oct. 6) at 6 p.m.