Grove City, Ohio – Longshot Midnight Nolan (Uncle Peter) pulled off an impressive harness racing rally on Sunday (Aug. 25) at MGM Northfield Park. At odds of 56-1, Midnight Nolan stormed home to take one of two $20,000 divisions of the Buckeye Stallion Series for three-year-old filly trotters.
Leaving from an outside post position, Midnight Nolan got away seventh. Driver Luke Ebersole raced from the back of the pack as the opening quarter came in a :27.4. Ebersole urged the filly to follow cover third-over while passing the half in :58. Midnight Nolan still sat sixth at the 1:26.3 three-quarters marker and a faced a wall of traffic at the top of the stretch. Charging down the lane, Midnight Nolan dug in to win by a head in 1:57.4.
Champa Bay Hall (Austin Hanners) marched home for second with Tammie Sue (Elliott Deaton) hanging on for third.
The victory marks the first of the season for Midnight Nolan who has now surpassed $60,000 in lifetime earnings. Dan Walski conditions the filly for Walski Stables. He paid $115.20 to win.
MIDNIGHT NOLAN REPLAY
Uncle Petes Dream (Uncle Peter) and driver Elliott Deaton took the first division in 1:57.1. After getting away third, the Uncle Peter filly let the dust settle before taking control of the field past the :28.3 opening quarter. Once on top, she held off challengers to set remaining fractions in :58.1 and 1:27.4. As the 8-5 favorite Uncle Petes Dream tripped the wire with more than a length to spare.
Lady Almas (Hanners) was second while Alittlepixiedust (Kurt Sugg) finished third.
Despite a slow start her freshmen year, Uncle Petes Dream has now hit the board 12 of 15 tries this season. With six victories the filly has bankrolled $55,711 for owner Matt Rowe. Debroah Swartz conditions Uncle Petes Dream.
UNCLE PETES DREAM REPLAY
Buckeye Stallion Series action continues with sophomore colt pacers on Friday (August 30) at Eldorado Scioto Downs.
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by Ashley Dailey, for the OHHA