Coastal back to best in $85,000 OSS Championship

Northfield, OH — Coastal (Downbytheseaside), who had been off her game somewhat as of late, made a big move in the third quarter and scored an upset victory in the $85,000 Ohio Sires Stakes Championships for Veteran mares.

Coastal (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) bided her time around the first turn, getting away in fifth as Do It Like Bobi (Tony Hall) stormed to the lead and opened up a two-length advantage. While Hall tried to ration out the speed on the front end, his mare sped to the opening quarter in :27.3 with Penpaperpage (Tyler Smith) on her back.

Coming to the half in :55.3, She’sonebadmomma (Chris Page) stepped out of fourth with Dragons Revenge (Joe Bongiorno) on her back as Do It Like Bobbi continued to cruise on the front end.  

Into the backstretch for the final time, Do It Like Bobbi and Penpaperpaige stepped away from rivals, but as the field hit three-quarters in 1:23.3, Coastal began a four-wide rally. Gobbling up ground late, Coastal made the lead quickly, turning for home and drew off to win by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:53.2.

COASTAL REPLAY

Owned by Burke Racing Stable, J&T Silva Stable, J. Melillo, and Beasty, the Ron Burke trainee pushed her earnings to $326,503. The daughter of Big Bad John has 25 victories in 61 career starts. 

Following the victory, Wrenn Jr. said, “Ronnie (Burke) had her really good tonight. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I think she liked the trip from off the pace.”

The boys took center stage next in the $85,000 Ohio Sires Stakes Championship for Veteran pacers, with Sectionline Bigry making it three-in-a-row with a decisive 1:52.2 victory.

Sectionline Bigry (Pet Rock, Chris Page) was able to float away into the first turn, with none of his foes leaving from the outside. While he was able to set up shop on the front end easily, he put up a stiff :27.2 opening quarter over the sloppy going.

At the half, in a well-rated :57, Charlie May (Brett Miller), who set behind the leader, had yet to make a move and was locked in by Odds On Shaggy (Tony Hall), who began a first over bid for the lead. Heading to three-quarters in 1:24.3, Sectionline Bigry put away Odds On Shaggy, who started to back pedal around the far turn. Risenshine Seaside (Wrenn Jr.) flipped off cover three-wide, and Charlie May popped out of the pocket, turning for home, all trying to take a shot at the leader, but through the stretch, Sectionline Bigry was kept to task winning by 1-1/4 lengths.

SECTIONLINE BIGRY REPLAY

Owner Harold Bauder recently watched gelding become harness racing’s newest millionaire in the Ohio Breeders Championship at Delaware. “He’s just awesome,” said a happy Bauder. “Chris (Page) is a friend of mine. Brett chose to drive Charley May, and he (Page) was a great fill-in.

It was the 50th career victory for Sectionline Bigry, who now has $1,059,457 in the bank.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Michael Carter, for MGM Northfield Park