Freeborn cruises in Buckeye Series

Grove City, OH – Freeborn (What The Hill) kicked off the first leg of the Buckeye Stallion Series for two-year-old harness racing trotting colts with an impressive ten-length victory Wednesday July 20 at the Crawford County Fair in Bucyrus, Ohio.

A total of five divisions went to the post, each with a purse of $17,500.

In the first division, Long Ball (Long Tom) and Chris Lems sat fourth around the final turn, cut the corner and rallied down the stretch to win by 2¼ lengths in 2:02.3.  Marion Chupp trains for Northwoods Farm.  Long Ball is now two for two in his freshman campaign.

Supreme Class was second with Republic Return third

In the second division, it was all Freeborn as Don Irvine Jr. took the colt to the lead and never looked back, cruising to the big victory in 2:04.3. Jeremy Miller owns and trains Freeborn, who has hit the board in three of his first four starts.

Knockout Hill and Magical Tom rounded out the top three finishers.

Head Honcho Bo (Triumphant Caviar) and Mark Winters Jr. rallied down the stretch to nip the favorite Romeo’s Dream by a nose at the wire in 2:03.2.  Head Honcho Bo has made three starts for trainer Mark Winters and has a win and two seconds to his credit.  Robert Buerger owns him.

Grand Revival finished third.

In the fourth division, Blazen Tom (Long Tom) and Pierce Henry grabbed the lead at the quarter pole and led the rest of the way, winning by 2¼ lengths in 2:05.2.  Chad Williamson trains the gelding for Claude Estle.  Blazen Tom has two wins in three starts this year.

Handsome Hank finished second with The Long Con third.

In the final division of the night, Ryan Stahl sat third with Devoted Beauty (Enterprise) making his move around the final turn and getting up at the wire to win by a head in 2:05.3.  Tye Loy trains and co-owns the gelding with Davis Wills, Richard Coad, and Douglas Gregory.  The win was Devoted Beauty first of his career.

Buckeye finished second with Rose Run Yakim third.

Buckeyes Stallion Series action continues Thursday July 21 at Eldorado Scioto Downs.  Four divisions of freshman filly trotters will go to the gate.  First race post time is 3:15 PM.

For complete race results, click here.

by Frank Fraas, for the OHHA