40-1 longshot upsets in $100,000 Ohio Sire Stakes

Eldorado Scioto Downs hosted the opening round of the 2023 Ohio Sire Stakes for three-year-old harness racing trotting and pacing fillies Memorial Day Monday (May 29). Total purses on the line were $210,000.

The richest of the divisions was the 9^th race where 11 three-year-old trotting fillies faced off for a huge purse of $100,000.

Truly Relentless (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr) was the first out of the gate and on the lead from post four with race favorite Rose Run Yolanda (Brett Miller) coming on the outside to take command by the opening quarter mile in :27.

Along In Time (Ken Holiday) came first-over before the half mile with Swinging Senorita (Anthony MacDonald) second over and sitting third along the rail was Countechsfashion (Credit Fashion) with driver Trevor Smith The half was reached in :56.2.

In the backstretch Along In Time rushed up to be second on the outside as Rose Run Yolanda tripped the three-quarters in 1:25.1. Leading by one and one-half lengths at the top of the stretch, Rose Run Yolanda started to bear to the outside in the stretch and that allowed 40-1 Contechsfashion to find room, get momentum and outkick Rose Run Yolanda to the wire, winning in an upset in 1:54.2. Rose Run Yolanda was second with Rose Run Yankee (Chris Page) third.

CONTECHSFASHION REPLAY

It was a lifetime mark for Contechsfashion and her second win in four starts this season. She is trained by Chris Beaver for owners Martin Yoder and Evans Cattle Co. She paid $83.00 to win.

There were two $55,000 divisions of the Ohio Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies.

The 6^th race first division saw Cruise Alert (Yankee Cruiser) and driver Dan Noble go gate-to-wire in a lifetime best 1:51.3 mile.

Leaving from post five, Noble sent Cruise Alert right to the early lead with race favorite Hey Hey Mama (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.) sitting right on their backs in second place as they passed the opening quarter mile in :26.3.

By the half mile marker in :55.4, Cruise Alert was in command as Celebrate Me Home (Jeremy Smith) came first-over, then from the back of the back Santa Fe Kat and driver Josh Sutton moved three-wide and brush to first-over, but was unable to collar Cruise Alert.

Down the backstretch to the three-quarters in 1:23.4, Celebrate Me Home moved three-wide to pass Santa Fe Kat to retake first-over as Kassagi (Sam Widger) came three-wide to join the leaders.

Down the stretch Cruise Alert was not to be caught, even by the pocket-sitting Hey Hey Mama, and won hands down by one and one-quarter lengths in 1:51.3. Hey Hey Mama was second with Kassagi third.

CRUISE ALERT REPLAY

It was the second straight win and fourth victory in six starts this year for Cruise Alert. She is trained by Jeff Nsonger for Our Three Sons Stable and GA & Nsonger Stable. The filly paid $4.80 to win.

The fastest of the two divisions came in the 10^th race where there was plenty of action from start to finish.

The race started with My Red Sea (Kayne Kauffman) on the lead and stringing out Lofty Treasure (Sam Widger) to a speedy opening quarter in :25.3.

Once on the lead, it was not long lived for Lofty Treasure as Super Girl (Brett Miller) came first-over before the half mile with race favorite McSeaside (Downbytheseaside) and driver Chris Page grabbing the second-over cover. The half mile was in :54.1.

Down the backstretch, Super Girl was able to clear to the lead, but McSeaside kept coming too and they passed Super Girl to take command at the three-quarters in 1:22.

Then down the stretch, McSeaside was the strong horse, pulling away for a two-length triumph, the final time a blistering 1:49.4. Dragon By The Sea (Tyler Smith) closed well for second place with Fear Of Sports (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.) third. The mile was a track record for three-year-old pacing fillies. The previous track record of 1:50.1 was set in 2020 by Mcmarkle Sparkle.

MCSEASIDE REPLAY

It was a lifetime mark for 2022 Ohio Two-Year-Old Pacing Filly of the Year and the second win in five starts for McSeaside, who is trained by Ron Burke for owners Bruke Racing Stable, Beasty, LLC, J & T Silva Stable and Knox Services Inc. She paid $5.00 to win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink