Allnight Miki highlighted the Buckeye Stallion Series action at MGM Northfield Park Sunday night as she gate to wire to win for the third time in the harness racing series.
In the first of five $17,500 divisions, Aaron Merriman took Allnight Miki, the 1-5 favorite, to the lead and held off a hard charging She Means Business and Billy Davis Jr. to win by a head in 1:52.4.
Trained by Tim Twaddle, the win was the sixth of the year in 11 starts for the daughter of Downbytheseaside.Ā The win boosted Allnight Mikiās career earnings to $108,707.Ā She Means Business finished second with Ocean Music third.
In the second division, Catamaran the 6-5 favorite raced to the lead and cruised to an easy victory in a new lifetime mark of 1:52.Ā Greg Grismore drove the Downbytheseaside filly for trainer Ron Burke to her second Stallion Series win. Ā It was Catamaranās third win of the year and raised her earnings to $30,800 this year.Ā Mermaid By The Sea and Osceola Hanover rounded out the top three.
In the third division, Grismore and Burke teamed up again as Coastal dropped down from the Ohio Sires Stakes ranks to win in a new lifetime mark of 1:52.2.Ā The 6-5 favorite sat patiently in the 4thĀ spot before going three-wide down the backstretch grabbing the lead around the final turn and pulling away to win by 2Ā¾ lengths.Ā The win was the second of the year for the daughter of Downbytheseaside.Ā Factory Girl was second with Party Cruiser third.
In the fourth division, When You Kiss Me went gate to wire for an easy 3Ā¾ length victory in 1:53.2.Ā Tyler Smith drove the Arthur Blue Chip filly for his father, trainer Jeff Smith.Ā When You Kiss me has hit the board in 12 of 13 races with six wins earning $56,875 this year.Ā Fear Our Fayth finished second with Bittrsweetsymphony third.
In the final division, the duo of Grismore and Burke teamed up for their third BSS win of the night as Fantasy Life held on down the stretch to win in 1:52.4 for her third win in eight starts.Ā The Downbytheseaside filly has earned $41,825 this year.Ā Parkland Unique was second with Tootsies Dreamhill third.
The Buckeye Stallion Series for the three-year-olds resumes Sunday July 24 when the colt pacers take the track at MGM Northfield Park.
The first division of two-year-olds begins Sunday July 10 at MGM Northfield Park with filly pacers in action.
For complete race results, click here.
by Frank Fraas, for the OHHA