by Ayers Ratliff, Northfield Park Publicity Department

Northfield, OH — Ohio Sires Stakes racing highlighted Northfield Park’s Friday (August 31) program where 2-year-old filly pacers and trotters squared off.

The fillies raced in their final leg of the 2012 juvenile match-ups, presenting their last chance to earn points for the Ohio Sires Stakes championships. The championships will be held at Scioto Downs in Columbus on Saturday (September 8).

The trotters took to the stage in race one for the $17,000 first division. Contessa Leigh (Full Count-Howl) posted a gate-to-wire performance to win by 1-1/4 length. The partnership of G&B Racing and Patricia Wollam are the owners. Northfield Park Wall of Fame inductee Marty Wollam trains and drove the filly through quarters of :29.1, 1:01.1, 1:30.2 and 2:00.

The victory was the third win in five starts for Contessa Leigh, who now has career earnings of $29,824. Finishing behind the winner were Royal Fricassee, Diplomats Mistress, Ima Count and Whizzy Izzy. Contessa Leigh returned her backers $3.00 for a $2.00 win wager.

Trainer Wollam’s barn struck again in race three, when Sheza Lavec (Master Lavec-Balmira CC) took the $17,000 second division for 2-year-old filly Ohio-bred trotters. Sheza Lavec started from post two and led her rivals from start to finish through fractions of :29.4, 1:01.2, 1:31.2 and 2:02.2. Kurt Sugg drove for owner Bob Troyer.

Sheza Lavec had six prior starts but was winless entering Friday night’s event. Her victory raises her earnings to $16,533. Completing the race were Look At Count, TT’s Megapixel, Trainer Dunn, Tiffany’s Victory and Pinehall Lady. Sheza Lavec paid $27.20 to win.

The final Ohio Sires Stake of the evening, race 10, was the $25,000 fourth leg for 2-year-old filly pacers. Igottafeelinfran (Feelin Friskie-Fran Anna) sat chilly through early fractional times of :29 and :58.1, before coming first over and brushing to the front. Igottafeelinfran tripped the three-quarter beam in 1:25.4 and held on to win by a neck in 1:56.3. Dan Noble drove Igottafeelingfran for owners Jerry Zosel, Kathy Ratcliff and Kimberly Dailey. Jim Dailey trains Igottafeelinfran, who now has three career victories in seven lifetime starts and earnings of $40,200.

Crossing the line after her was a hard-charging Cating Around, One Naughty Lady, Norma Jean, Cosswind Colleen, Always D Lady, Melissa L and Happy N Memphis. Pink Camo was scratched. Igottafeelinfran returned $3.80 to win.