Grove City, OH – MGM Northfield Park hosted four $20,000 divisions for the fourth leg of the Buckeye Stallion Series for 2-year-old colt trotters on Sunday evening (Sept. 8). Two victors, Vekna and Sweet Harmony, scored their third series win of the season.
Vekna took the second division in 1:59.2. Guided by trainer Kayne Kauffman, the gelded son of Enterprise settled in fourth as the opening quarter came in :28.3. Vekna followed cover as the field passed the half in an even 1:00. Kauffman urged the 2-5 favorite three-wide while heading to the 1:29.3 three-quarter marker. Stride for stride with the leader around the final turn, Vekna shifted gears down the stretch to win by 3-1/2 lengths. Cowboy Poker (Austin Hanners) held on for second with Silverton (Hunter Myers) in third.
Vekna has won five of six lifetime starts. After missing the first leg of the Buckeye Stallion Series, Vekna has notched victories in the three most recent legs. The gelding has earned $41,122 for owner Natalie Kauffman. He was bred by Spring Haven Farm.
Sweet Harmony and Ronnie Gillespie won the third division in 1:58.2. Despite leaving from the fifth post position, Sweet Harmony swiftly left the gate to grab the lead. The Uncle Peter gelding set the opening fractions in :29 and :59.2. Rose Run Atm (Aaron Merriman) challenged for the front first-up and passed the three-quarters in 1:27.4. Still on the inside, 2-5 Sweet Harmony fought back in the final turn to win with a length and a quarter to spare. Mister Squeeze (Hanners) finished second and Rose Run Atm was third.
Gillespie conditions Sweet Harmony for owner Anthony Miller. With $43,598 in the bank, Sweet Harmony has won eight of 12 lifetime starts. The gelding secured victories in the first, third, and now fourth series legs. He was bred by Steiner Stock Farm.
The first division was taken by Letsgotoparis in 2:00.4. Merriman and Letsgotoparis found the perfect pocket trip behind even-money favorite Seven Lick Tom (Chris Lems). Letsgotoparis stayed patient as the fractions came in :29.4, 1:00.3, and 1:30.1. At 9-5, Letsgotoparis pulled to the outside at the top of the stretch and dug in every step of the way. The son of Mister Anson secured his victory in the final stride. Seven Lick Tom was second while Naabaahii (Kauffman) finished third.
Although Letsgotoparis has won half of his eight lifetime starts, the victory marks the first series win for the colt. Trained by Edward Miller, Letsgotoparis has earned $24,867. Miller co-owns alongside Ashley Dunn. Adrian Hochstetler bred Letsgotoparis.
Despite an early miscue behind the gate, Full Moon Howl won the final division in 1:59.2. The gelded son of Full Count was on a break leaving the gate but quickly got back on stride. Driven by Gillespie, the gelding raced from the middle of the pack as the opening quarter passed in :28.4. Feeling confident, Full Moon Howl flushed cover passing the :59.1 half-mile marker. Down the backside, 2-1 Full Moon Howl pulled three-wide and marched past the leaders at the 1:29.1 three-quarter pole. Opening up by 3-1/4 lengths, Full Moon Howl scored in a new lifetime mark. Flying Tom (Greg Grismore) finished second with Rockers Legend (Justin Irvine) third.
Full Moon Howl has hit the board in 11 of 13 tries this season, earning $36,220. It was Full Moon Howl’s first Buckeye Stallion Series victory. Jessica Smith trains and co-owns the trotter alongside her daughter Madisyn Smith. Full Moon Howl was bred by Andrew Kauffman.
Buckeye Stallion Series action continues with sophomore trotters on Sunday (Sept. 15) at the Delaware County Fair.