Grove City, Ohio – While the top three-year-old harness racing pacers pacers in the country were on display at MGM Northfield Park Saturday night (August 12), the best of Ohio’s freshman colt pacers and sophomore colt trotters were featured in Ohio Sires Stakes action.
Two $55,000 divisions of two-year-old pacers were contested along with one $100,000 division of two-year-old colt trotters.
In the first division for the two-year-olds, Clever Cody (The Panderosa) took the lead heading to the first quarter and never looked back, winning by a length in 1:51.2. Janelle Granny finished second with Paris’s Dragon third.
It was the fourth straight win, three of them in Sires Stakes action for the colt. Trained by Dr. Ian Moore and owned by Clever Cody Stables, Clever Cody has earned $127,300 this year.
CLEVER CODY REPLAY
In the second division, Denial (Lather Up) with Brett Miller sat fifth heading to the half-mile pole. Heading up the backstretch, the gelding went three wide and closed in on the leader, Hundred Dollar Man around the final turn. As the two hit the top of the stretch, Denial grabbed the lead and hit the wire first in 1:52.2 to win by a length.
High On The Hill was second with Hundred Dollar Man third.
DENIAL REPLAY
It was the first win in six starts for the 20-1 longshot. Trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. and owned by Never 2 Lates Stable, Joe Sbrocco, and John Fodera, Denial has earned $35,500 this year.
In the lone division for sophomore trotters, John Dutton (What The Hill) with Chris Page went gate-to-wire winning by two lengths in a new lifetime mark of 1:52.2. Black Magic was second with Jet Hill third.
It was the eighth win in 13 starts this year for the gelding. Trained by Ron Burke and owned by Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services, Johnny Yoder, and RAS Racing, John Dutton has earned $181,541 this year.
JOHN DUTTON REPLAY
Ohio Sires Stakes action resumes Friday, August 18, when three-year-old filly pacers open action in the fifth leg.
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by Frank Fraas, for the OHHA