by Keith Gisser, assistant publicity director, Northfield Park

Northfield Park hosted the final leg of Ohio Sires Stakes action for three-year-old fillies Friday night, with two $20,000 divisions each for trotters and pacers featured. The first race may have yielded the most impressive performance as Ryan Stahl steered Still Standing to a gate-to-wire, 1:53.3 win, her tenth victory in 15 career starts for her owner, Northfield Park Wall-of-Famer Gerry Bookmyer of Sycamore, Ohio. Janet Irvine trains the daughter of Stand Forever who posted fractions of 27.3, 56.4 and 1:24.3 en route to the win over a game Ms Maize N Blue. Kaitlin Lou finished third. Still Standing has earned $40,957 in her career.

Butterscotchndaleys took the first trot in a minor upset over Tom’s OK Lady in 2:01.2, with Lizzie Lavec finishing third. Greg Grismore drove the daughter of Master Lavec for trainer Scott Cox, who co-owns the filly with Jason Ash and Towering Oaks Farms. She has banked $49,935 while winning six of twelve starts this year.

The second trot went to Buck I St Pat. The dominant force in her division “wasn’t at her best,” and was “never turned loose,” according to driver Dave Palone. The result was simply a 1:57 mile, over 20 lengths better than the other division. Buck I St Pat, a daughter of Jailhouse Jesse, was prepped by Ron Burke of the Mickey Burke stable. She is owned by Howard Taylor, Edwin Gold, Abraham Basen and R.R. Fuller and has now won 8 of 12 this year while banking an impressive $98,025. Spur-ann-e was second and Cacamamie finished third.

Sires Stakes action concluded with a solid group of pacing fillies. When the dust settled Van Anna had picked up a 1:54.4 lifetime best win for her connections – owner Bob Kauffman, trainer Danny Collins and driver Chip Noble. She held off a strong rally from Kat N Mouse, with Fritzie Bunnie third. Van Anna has won five of nine starts this year and banked $60,950.