Grove City, OH – Sugar Instead reasserted her dominance on Wednesday evening (Aug. 21) in the fourth leg in the Ohio Sires Stakes for sophomore trotting fillies. A sole $100,000 division went behind the gate at MGM Northfield Park.
Leaving the fifth post position, Sugar Instead and Brett Miller quickly settled into the pocket behind Jurassic Hattie (Kurt Sugg). Fractions to the half came in an easy :28.1 and :58.2. Miller confidently urged 1-5 Sugar Instead first-up at the 1:27 three-quarters pole. The daughter of Volstead took control at the top of the stretch, cruising to a 4-3/4 length win in 1:55.2.
Trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. and owned by Joyce McClelland and Larry Wills, Sugar Instead is eight for eight in her 3-year-old season. After missing the first OSS leg, the victory marks the third stake win in as many tries. The daughter of Volstead has bankrolled $606,019 in lifetime earnings.
Jurassic Hattie held on for second while Roxanna (Aaron Merriman) finished third.
Ohio Sires Stakes action continues Saturday night (Aug. 24) at MGM Northfield Park with the fourth leg for 3-year-old colt pacers. First race post is 6 p.m.