Grove City, Ohio – The fifth leg of the Ohio Sires Stakes for two-year-old harness racing colt trotters and pacers, three-year-old filly trotters, and three-year-old colt pacers concluded Saturday (August 26) at Eldorado Scioto Downs. Two $55,000 races in each division were contested.
In the first division for freshman colt trotters, Tennessee Tom (Long Tom) with Chris Page got away slowly but charged up the backstretch to take command on the way to an impressive four-length victory in a new lifetime mark of 1:55.1 It was the third Sires Stakes win of the year for Tennessee Tom. Trained by Ron Burke and owned by the Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Hatfield Stables, and Knox Services, Tennessee Tom has hit the board in six of seven starts winning four. He has earned $139,850 this year.
TENNESSEE TOM REPLAY
Royal Precedent’s bid to win a fourth leg of the Ohio Sires Stakes came up short as he finished second with E-Pass third.
In the second division, Dan Noble took 3-5 favorite Deville Hill (What The Hill) to the lead at the quarter and held off a challenge around the final turn from Tt’s Magnum Force to win by a length in 1:57.3. It was the first win of the year in six starts for the Clarence Foulk trainee. Deville Hill has earned $68,125 for owners Thomas Ceraso and Norman Rae Racing.
Smooth Talkin finished second while Do What’s Right was third.
DEVILLE HILL REPLAY
Three-time Sires Stakes winner Spaaaanzano was scratched sick.
The win was Noble’s 150th win at Scioto Downs this year.
In the first division for the two-year-old colt pacers, Jannelle Granny (Fear The Dragon) with Brett Miller took the pocket trip, swinging wide at the top of the stretch and passing 1-5 favorite Clever Cody deep in the stretch to win by a length in a new lifetime mark of 1:51.2. Janelle Granny has finished first or second in all 11 starts for owner-trainer Betty Clegg, winning four, the colt has earned $149,222 this year.
Clever Cody was looking for his fourth Sires Stakes win but settled for second with Paris’s Dragon third.
JANNELLE GRANNY REPLAY
In the second division, Rose Run Zane (Racing Hill) and Austin Hanners made it look easy, winning by five lengths in a new lifetime mark of 1:51.3. Hanners took the son of Racing Hill to the lead after the quarter and never looked back winning for the second time this year. Trained by Dan Venier and owned by John and Leann Saunders Rose Run Zane has earned $50,700 in his freshman season.
Midwind Beach Boy finished second while Dancin Moon was third.
ROSE RUN ZANE REPLAY
In the first division of sophomore filly trotters, Cornstar (Coraggioso) with Chris Lems made her move from fourth just past the half-mile mark, pulling even with the leader Truly Relentless as they entered the final turn. Around the turn Cornstar opened up and drew away to win by two lengths in 1:54.4. It was the fifth win in 14 starts for the filly. Trained by Scott Cox and owned by Vickie Jennings, Cornstar has earned $71,050 this year.
Simply Hill was second with Along In Time third.
CORNSTAR REPLAY
In the other division, Rose Run Yolanda (Triumphant Caviar) earned her third Sires Stakes victory of the year. The 1-9 favorite with Brett Miller charged up the backstretch taking control heading to the three-quarter pole and pulled away to win by five lengths in 1:54. It was the sixth win in ten starts for the Todd Luther trainee. Rose Run Yolanda pushed her career earnings to $490,864 for Greg Luther Racing.
Rose Run Yanae finished third while Swinging Senorita was third.
ROSE RUN YOLANDA REPLAY
In the first division for sophomore colt pacers, Quick Trick (Racing Hill) and Tyler Smith entered the final turn in fourth and went three-wide at the top of the stretch and outdueled Racing Rampage and Dunkin’ down the stretch to win by a length in a new lifetime mark of 1:50. Trained by Jeff Conger who co-owns with Knox Services, the gelding has won six of 14 starts this year. It was the 10th career win for Quick Trick who has earned $107,327 this year.
Racing Rampage finished second while Dunkin’ finished third.
QUICK TRICK REPLAY
Act Fast (Downbytheseaside) and Page grabbed the lead heading to the quarter pole and never looked back to win the second division. He was never challenged, winning by two lengths in a new lifetime mark of 1:49.1. It was the fifth win of the year for Act Fast. Trained by Burke and owned by Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services, and Rich Lombardo Racing, Act Fast raised his earnings this year to $136,165.
Ants Marching was second in a photo with Burnout third.
ACT FAST REPLAY
Page and Miller both ended the night with four wins each.
The $400,000 Ohio Sires Stakes Scarlet and Gray Championship is scheduled for Saturday, September 9 at Eldorado Scioto Downs. The first race post time is 5:00 PM.
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by Frank Fraas, for the OHHA