by Dean Hoffman

Columbus, OH — Countess Leigh was the most dominant winner among the eight Ohio Sires Stakes finals contested as part of Ohio Super Night at Scioto Downs on Saturday. Eight $100,000 finals were contested.

Scioto Downs photo

Countess Leigh trots to an easy victory in the Ohio Sires Stakes championship for freshman trotting fillies for trainer-driver Marty Wollam.

Trainer Marty Wollam sent Countess Leigh to the front at the start of the $100,000 event as her rivals couldn’t match her early speed of the 3-5 favorite. But the 3-1 second choice Royal Fricassee was right on her back as Countess Leigh trotted past the half-mile marker in :59.4.

Then Royal Fricassee broke stride and Countess Leigh was free and clear. Diplomats Mistress posed a mild threat, but was unable to stay with Wollam’s filly in the stretch.

At the wire, Countess Leigh was 6-3/4 lengths on top in 1:58.4. Diplomats Mistress held for second while Trainer Dunn got up for third.

It was the fourth win in six starts for the daughter of Full Count. She’s owned by G&B Racing and Patricia Wollam.

Another impressive winner was the well-named Feelin Lika WInner, driven by Kayne Kauffman to a 1:54.1 triumph in the 2-year-old pace. Trainer Scott Mogan owns the son of Feelin Friskie with Diamond Chip Stable, Charles Guiler, and AWS Stable. It was his third win in seven starts. The winning margin was 6-1/2 lengths.

The 3-5 favorite That Friskie Feelin set the fractions for driver Kyle Ater but he capitulated in the final quarter, leaving the door open for Feelin Lika Winner to storm past him to victory. Dusto was second and My Myster E was third.

Another Ohio Sires Stakes champion with a big margin of victory on Saturday night was Rose Run Nellie, given a perfect trip by trainer-driver-owner Scott Cox. She sat on the back of Wardon’s Daughter and then eased out from behind her in the stretch to trot away with ease in the 1:58.3 victory.

Lady At Bat was second and Cinca De Miya third.

The eight Ohio Sires Stakes finals started when heavily-favored Pink Camo fell victim to an upset by Cating Around, a winner in 1:54.4 for trainer Brian Brown and driver Chris Page. Pink Camo, the fastest freshman filly ever at Scioto Downs, set the fractions, but was no match for Cating Around in the homestretch. Igottafreelinfran was third.

The mile was clocked in 1:54.4 and Cating Around is owned by Jennifer Brown, Gary Cook, and Timothy Lane.

Trottin On Over took advantage of a late break by heavy favorite Heza Rube to win the 2-year-old male trot in 2:00.1. Trainer-driver Mark Headworth steered the gelding to a 1-3/4 length win over Flashy Cash and Neely Spring.

Trottin On Over is owned by Emil Konesky of Woodsville, Ohio.

Rock N Jessie caught Cody Coy in the final strides to score a neck victory in 1:56.3 in the final for 3-year-old trotting males. Tony Hall drove the son of Jailhouse Jesse. Count Me In finished third.

Ron Burke trains Rock N Jessie for the Burke Stable, Slaughter Racing Stable, and Weaver, Bruscemi and Taylor.

Mr I Am took the sophomore male pace with a 1:53.3 mile over 6-5 favorite Jetstream Friskie and Feelin Cornered. He’s trained by Tricia Shepard for Thomas Phillips of Michigan.

Special Lady D scored a hard-fought victory in the sophomore filly pace over five rivals. Brian Brown trains the filly for Country Club Acres, Daniel Wozniak, and William J. Robertson. Ryan Stahl was in the bike as she won in 1:55.1 over Forever Lover and Standing Danette.

The $30,000 Invitational Pace resulted in a new track record for older geldings when Full Of Sand scored for Aaron Merriman in 1:50.4. Ray Paver trains the pacer for White Creek Stable of Florida. Little Gold Ring was second while Admiral Time was third.

During the Super Night program, Ohio Hall of Famer Chip Noble was honored by the track for passing the 5,000 win mark in his career. Noble’s family joined him in the winner’s circle for the ceremony.

Also, Chris Page was saluted as Scioto’s leading driver for 2012 while Virgil Morgan, Jr. was honored as the leading trainer.

Scioto races two more programs on Thursday and Friday of this coming week before wrapping up its 2012 season.