Two-year-olds shine in $600,000 Next Generation

There were four $150,000 divisions of the Next Generation Stakes at Scioto Downs as two-year-old harness racing got into high gear in Ohio Saturday night (Jul. 1).

The night of stakes kicked off with the rookie filly pacers lining up in the first Next Generation dash, and it was debutante Magestic Seas (Downbytheseaside, Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) deploying an aggressive approach to get the job done in 1:53.1.

Magestic Seas had her sights set on the front from the start but so did two rivals to her inside, Daisy’s Star (Tyler Smith) and Seaside Streaker (Dan Noble). As they passed the opening quarter in :27.4, Magestic Seas took over a lead she would not relinquish.

All were content to follow the leader through a half in :57.0, but Daisy’s Star moved from third to issue the first up challenge as they paced up the backstretch, with Magestic Seas following in the pocket. As they passed the three-quarters in 1:24.3, the backfield started to fan out to take a shot at the leader in the lane.

The winner was able to hold sway by a nose, just holding off onrushing Seaside Diva (Chris Page), who was likely best considering she broke at the start and lost a lot of ground when she fanned widest turning for home and still just missed. It was another three quarters of a length back to Daisy’s Star (Tyler Smith) who nosed out Venice Blue Chip (Anthony Macdonald) for third.

Winning trainer Brian Brown praised all drivers for not pushing the rookie pacers too hard in these initial starts. “The drivers have done a good job not overdriving these babies in these races,” he said. “I didn’t want her to do too much, so the third quarter in :27.4 I figured we would have to pace a big last quarter to fend them off and she didn’t have to, and Ronnie didn’t push her so I think there was more left.

“I want to thank a couple people, Brevin Lupton her groom, Danny Jones her trainer and Preferred Equine for helping sponsor this race.”

MAJESTIC SEAS REPLAY

In winning her debut, Magestic Seas earned $75,000 for owners Country Club Acres Inc of Findlay, Kirk L Nichols of London, Ohio and Scott A Dillon of Anson Maine. She was bred by Andray Farm and Sergent Stables, and she sold at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale for $110,000. The winner paid $6.70 to win as the second choice.

The Next Generation for two-year-old trotting fillies was a bit of a break fest, with half of the eight starters making breaks in stride before reaching the quarter. Jurassic Hattie (Volstead, Brett Miller) was straight and strong for the entire mile, though. She grabbed the lead leaving the gate and she was never in danger of relinquishing that advantage, using a 27.4 kicker to impressively break her maiden at first asking.

The start was eventful Sedona Hill (Anthony Macdonald) and I Am Independent (Chris Page) both going off stride before the wings of the gate folded. Midnight Daydream (Austin Hanners) and One Fancy Lady (Don Irvine Jr.) joined those two on the gallop soon after the start. That left Jurassic Hattie on the lead with only three rivals in striking range as she led the field through a 28.0 opening frame.

Driver Miller deftly backed the half down to 59.1 which gave his filly a big advantage heading into the back half. Sugar Instead (Ronnie Gillespie) pulled first up as they headed to three quarters with Possibility (Aaron Merriman) racing third. There was no other filly in striking range at that point. The leader had plenty left, however and her big late kick led to an easy three-and-three-quarter length win over Sugar Instead with Possibility third in 1:56.2. I Am Independent was fourth and the first breaker, Sedona Hill, recovered to get the fifth check.

JURASSIC HATTIE REPLAY

The victorious driver said trainer Eric Nesselroad told him to be aggressive. “He handed the lines to me and said race her,” said Miller. “She felt really good and she felt like she was a really good gaited trotter. When I got that 31 second quarter, I felt pretty comfortable.”

Jerry Welch bred and owns the filly who is the 10th foal out of the Striking Sahbra mare High Gear Sahbra. Jurassic Hottie paid $8.60 to win.

Spaaaanzano (Coraggioso, Aaron Merriman) re-rallied and got up in the shadow of the wire for a thrilling head win on debut in the Next Generation Colt Trot.

The winner was one of only two horses that had their noses on the gate at the start and he assumed command passing the 28.3 opening quarter. He would soon see a challenge though, as Tennessee Tom (Chris Paige) was intent on being in front and he took the lead before the half. They raced that way through a 58.2 half and a 1:27.4 three-quarters with no rivals making headway.

At the head of the lane, Spaaaanzano angled off the pylons and the sprint was on. Tennessee Tom held off his rival until deep stretch in a very good effort in defeat. A 28.3 kicker finished off a 1:56.2 victory for Spaaaanzano, who paid $6.60 to win as the second choice. It was six-and-a-half lengths back to Deville Hill (Dan Noble) in third and Do Whats Right (Brett Miller) finished fourth.

Victorious driver Aaron Merriman said he wasn’t surprised by Spaaaanzano’s performance. “This horse is really, really professional,” said Merriman. “I actually would rather have the outside with a young trotter than the one or two hole on a 5/8 mile track, especially the first couple of starts. “I was high on my horse to be honest with you, he’s done everything right so far and he showed it today.

SPAAAAZANO REPLAY

The second division of the Next Generation Colt Pace went to Midwind Beach Boy (Downbytheseaside, Chris Paige), who followed a final turn duel and sprinted past the leaders late to win by a 1/2-length.

The winner sat fifth for most of the mile as the three rivals in front of him took turns either leading or challenging for the front. Hundred Dollar Man (Montrell Teague) used his rail post to take the lead at the start but he was soon overtaken by Clever Cody (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.). Teague wasn’t content to sit the pocket and he asked his colt to retake the lead passing a 27.0 opening quarter.

Positions were unchanged as Teague backed the half down to 56.4 but a third quarter challenge by Janelle Granny (Nick Clegg) required the leader to step the pace up to the three quarters, which was reached in 125.0. At this point, the eventual winner had moved into fourth in the second-over position but he wasn’t gaining yet.

As the field fanned out in the lane, it became obvious that there were four possible winners but in the final 1/16th, Midwind Beach Boy, who had the freshest legs, surged for the win. A 27.4 kicker finished off the mile for a 1:52.4 debut score for the winner, who paid $13.00.

MIDWIND BEACH BOY REPLAY

There were also two divisions of the Ohio Sires Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts contested, each for a purse of $55,000.

The first division was won by Seafire (Downbytheseaside, Wrenn Jr.) who tracked a wild pace of 25.4, 52.2 and 1:20.1 then rallied for a head win in a new life’s mark of 1:49.1 over an onrushing Burnout (Sam Widger). Rockmelikeyameanit, who contributed to the wicked fractions, did well to stay for third, a half-length behind the winner who returned $6.20. Seafire is owned by Country Club Acres Inc, Joelyn Ridder and Scott Davis all of Ohio and Mark Kantrowitz of Florida. The Brian Brown trainee won for the fifth time in 16 lifetime starts and just over $363,000.

SEAFIRE REPLAY

The second division was won impressively by The Real Way (Downbytheseaside, Paige) who deployed a 26.2 third quarter power move to take a stranglehold on the race then held off the closers late to win by a neck in a new life’s mark of 1:50.1. Liteningonthebeach finished 2nd and Dynamite Dylan completed a Downbytheseaside progeny Trifecta.

THE REAL WAY REPLAY

The Real Way is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC  and Weaver Bruscemi LLC of Pennsylvania, , Knox Services Inc of Ohio and Let It Ride Stables Inc of Florida. He was winning for the second time in eight 2023 starts and he boosted his lifetime earnings to just under $150,000.

For complete race results, click here.

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink