Northfield, OH – Trainer Virgil Morgan conditioned Odds On Chesapeake and Odds On Hialeah to dominant victories in their respective $65,000 Ohio Sires Stakes divisions and they stamped themselves at the top of the 3-year-old filly pacing ranks on Saturday (June 7) at MGM Northfield Park.
While both won impressively, it was Odds On Chesapeake who put together the fastest performance with a 1:50 victory, just two fifths off both world and track records for 3-year-old filly pacers.
In the first division, My Hare Legend (Chris Page) and Skywalker Sea (Austin Hanners) both left alertly jostling for position into the initial turn, while Odds On Chesapeake (Dan Noble) floated away in third.
Heading into the backstretch for the first time, Skywalker Sea was able to clear rivals, and opened a four-length lead through a :27 opening quarter.
Hanners tried to get a breather in the second panel, but Skywalker Sea arrived at the half in :55.3, and then heavy-favorite Odds On Chesapeake began her rally.
The pair dueled through much of the final half, arriving at three-quarters in 1:22.4 with neither filly giving way.
Turning into the stretch, Odds On Chesapeake was able to work past Skywalker Sea winning by 1-1/4 lengths. Skywalker Sea after a valiant effort was second, with My Hare Legend (Chris Page) finishing third.
“The track was lightning-fast tonight, she got over it really well,” said an enthusiastic Noble. “The track has really come back to life.”
Owned by Odds On Racing LLC, of Boca Raton, Florida, the 3-year-old filly by Downbytheseaside pushed her career earnings to $229,700.
Ohio Sires Stakes champion, Odds On Hialeah, continued her comeback to the races on Saturday night with a gate-to-wire victory in the second $65,000 division.
Odds On Hialeah (Brett Miller) was put into play early making the front from the rail into the first turn. She got down to the opening quarter in a testing :26.4 with the field in straight alignment entering the far turn for the first time.
Miller got a big-time breather in the second quarter, getting to the half in a leisurely :55.4.
Entering the backstretch, Miller stepped on the gas with Odds On Hialeah opening up a two-length lead at three-quarters in 1:24.2.
Turning for home, Odds On Hialeah faced no pressure, and cruised home to a 1-1/4 length win in 1:51.2. Rose Run Aimee (Dan Noble) was second, while Guard The Fire (Jordan Stratton) rallied to be third.
Owned by Let It Ride Stables and Odds On Racing, the 3-year-old filly by Lather Up now has earnings of $389,750.
“It’s been fun watching her mature from her standout 2-year-old season, we are excited for what her sophomore campaign has to offer,” said co-owner Dana Parham.
Both fillies were bred by Odds On Nourrir of Florida.