Track Records set, tied in Ohio Sires Stakes

Five Ohio Sires Stakes featured several harness racing track records set and tied on a cool Saturday evening, August 10 at Northfield Park.

In the first of a trio of $40,000 OSS events, 1-9 favorite Lane Of Stone cruised easily to a 1:54 new track record triumph in front-stepping fashion for driver Jeff Nisonger and trainer Mark Winters, Sr., who conditions the son of Wishing Stone for owner Harry Horowitz of Brooklyn, NY.

"This is the kind of trotter everyone dreams about," Nisonger told interviewer and Northfield Racing Secretary Dave Bianconi.

Lane Of Stone now has $279,393 in earnings from this latest victory, having previously won OSS legs one and three.

In the second OSS test, a $50,000 race for 3-year-old pacing fillies, Queen Of the Pride sped to a front-end 1:51.4 clocking for driver Tony Hall, tying the Northfield Park track record for age and gait. Kevin Lare trains the McArdle lass for Frank Chick of Harrington, DE.

"Kevin (trainer Lare) had to make some equipment changes and they were just enough to smooth her out," driver Hall related. "She was strong and solid tonight–just what we want to see going into the final."

Queen Of The Pride pushed her career earnings to $510,579 with this latest win, the 12th of her career.

Giggles And Dreams, the 6-5 choice, captured the second $50,000 OSS contest for 3-year-old pacing fillies for driver Shawn Barker II and trainers/owners Don and Mike Yeazel.

"I named this filly after my son," Mike stated. "He used to dream and would giggle in his sleep."

"I've waiting for 45 years to have a horse like this," Don added.

Giggles And Dream grabbed the lead from the start and never looked back, pacing to a 1:51.2 triumph. The daughter of Nob Hill High upped her lifetime earnings to $168,695 with this, her seventh lifetime victory in 24 starts.

Dylan The Great, with Chris Page at the lines, captured the second $40,000 OSS for 3-year-old trotting colts, coming from off the pace to nail the victory for trainer Ronnie Burke and owners Burke Racing, L. Karr, J&TSilva-Purnel&Libby and Weaver Bruscemi. This gelded son by Break The Bank K stayed off the pace until the late going before drawing off by six lengths in 1:53.2.

Serenity Cruise picked up the victory in the third OSS contest for 3-year-old trotting colts, stopping the timer in 1:54.2 with Tyler Smith in the sulky. The Uncle Peter gelding is trained and co-owned by Brent Davis along with the Hatfield Stables and Roy Davis, and sat behind the pace-setting Yes until late stretch before pulling and besting his rival by 2¼ lengths. Unraced at two, Serenity Cruise now has $68,000 earned this season from five wins in 11 starts.

by Kimberly Rinker, Ohio Standardbred Development Fund Administrator