by Marty Evans, for the Ohio State Racing Commission

Columbus, OH — Earlier this year the Ohio State Racing Commission approved an Ohio Standardbred Development Fund proposal to reinstate Ohio Sires Stakes championships for older trotters and pacers.

Races for older horses were discontinued in 2010 after nominations totaled 31 horses in 2008 and 35 horses a year later.

This year four championships, each with a purse of $50,000, will be held at Dayton Raceway. Races for 4-year-old and up trotting and pacing mares will be held on Friday (Oct. 17). A night later horses and geldings of each gait are scheduled to compete.

No more than nine horses may start in championships. If a higher number of horses is entered in any championship, an elimination will be held one week prior to the scheduled race.

A total of 71 horses were nominated. Three horses that won championships at ages two and three were nominated. Two were dominant trotting filly champions — 7-year-old Jesse’s Messenger (2009 and 2010) and 4-year-old Contessa Leigh (2012 and 2013).

Another 4-year-old, pacing stallion Feelin Lika Winnner, also won championships in each of the last two years.

All past Ohio Sires Stakes champions appear in bold in the lists of nominated horses below.

4-year-old and up trotting stallions and geldings (23)
Beauregret
Chewey
Cody Coy
Count Me In (‘11)
Final Breath (‘13)
Fortune Sailor
Future Night Train
Hello Carlo
Herbie L
Heza Rube
Its Jessie Time
J J Hall (‘11)
Jailhouse Hooch
Jailhouse Tuff
Lima Legend
Olin
Quick N Slick
Rompaway Beau
Rose Run Logan
Rose Run Mac
Sharp Edge
Sun Of A Victory
Trottin On Over (‘12)

4-year-old and up trotting mares (15)
Alyssa’s Fortune
Contessa Leigh (‘12 & ‘13)
Easter Rosetta
Easy Strength
Facial Expressions
Jesse’s Messenger (‘09 & ‘10)
M J’s Victory Wish
Maitresse Lavec
Master’s Sweetie
Miss Lula Belle
Mitey Pretty Win
Royal Fricassee
Tesla
Trainer Dunn
Victory Is Coming

4-year-old and up pacing stallions and geldings (22)
Dancin Yankee
Doc’s Yankee
Dusto
Feelin Lika Winner (‘12 & ‘13)
Firetowers Stand
Grandkids Attack
Gun Show
Hanky L
Independent Spirit
Lonesome Attack
Man He Can Skoot
Moreland Flash
Mr I Am (’12)
My Myster E
Noble Trick (’11)
Outdoor Fever
River Valley Pearl
Sammys Cool Win
Sassy Osborne
Suncapade
That Friske Feelin
Wanderer

4-year-old and up pacing mares (11)
Cating Around (’12)
Cheat Sheet
Crosswind Colleen
Igottafeelinfran (’13)
Lets Go All The Way
Norma Jean
Ocean Pearl
Shasham
So Jazzy
Standing Danette
Two Friskie