Lifetime marks fall in Ohio Fairs Championships

Grove City, OH – The Buckeye State’s county fair season came to a close on Saturday (Oct. 19) with $50,000 Ohio Fairs Championships at MGM Northfield Park. Freshmen were impressive with three championship winners lowering their lifetime harness racing marks.

Jailhouse Pearl went wire-to-wire in the championship for filly trotters. Driver Chris Lems hustled the daughter of Long Tom to the lead and never looked back, posting fractions in :28.4, 1:00.1, and 1:29.1. As the 3-5 favorite, Jailhouse Pearl drew away to win in a lifetime mark of 1:59.1.

Madam L (Hank LeVan) was second while Kountry Behave (Aaron Merriman) finished third.

Jailhouse Pearl has never missed the board, scoring ten wins and five second-place finishes this year. She has earned $63,377 under Eric Nesselroad’s conditioning. Casey Clemens bred and owns Jailhouse Pearl.

JAILHOUSE PEARL REPLAY

The championship for filly pacers went to Evil L (Fear The Dragon) in 1:57.3. Evil L and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. raced third along the rail as betting favorite Pink Jammies (Hunter Myers) set fractions in :28.2, :59.2, and 1:29. Heading into the final turn, Evil L powered up to pulled three-wide and win in a new lifetime mark.

Maddie’s Delite (Austin Hanners) was second and Pink Jammies held on third.

EVIL L REPLAY

Evil L has notched six wins, seven seconds, and four third-place finishes this year. She has earned $52,195 in 18 tries. It was the second start for Evil L under trainer Elson Miller. Josiah Miller owns the daughter of Fear The Dragon while Midland Acres bred the filly.

Jet Wings and Elliot Deaton took the championship for colt trotters in 1:59.4. Jet Wings took advantage of his inside post position and eased off the gate to settle in fourth. After the :29.4 opening quarter, the What The Hill gelding pulled first-up as the field passed the half in 1:01.1. Jet Wings easily grabbed the lead before hitting the three-quarters in 1:30.2. With no challengers, Jet Wings cruised across the wire in a new lifetime mark.

JET WINGS REPLAY

Full Moon Howl (Luke Ebersole) finished second and Hydroplane’n Henry (Greg Bateson) rallied for third.

The victory was the fifth of the season for Jet Wings. The Virgil Morgan Jr. trainee has not missed a check in 15 starts, earning $55,794 for owner Joyce McClelland. Jet Wings was bred by Martz Creek Farm.

Unique Catch captured the championship for colt pacers in 1:55.4. Out of the gate, Unique Catch briefly battled with  Downbytheparade (Merriman) before settling into the pocket at the :28. opening quarter. Driver-trainer Daren Harvey stayed patient with Unique Catch while the field reached the half in :58.2. The son of Catch The Fire changed gears while passing the 1:27. three-quarters pole and popped the pocket to challenge Downbytheparade in a closing effort. Unique Catch showed his grit, winning by a nose.

UNIQUE CATCH REPLAY

Lord Bridgerton (Wrenn) finished third.

Unique Catch has won nine of 12 this season. Originally a $15,000 purchase out of the Buckeye Classic Sale, the victory upped his earnings to $51,331. The colt is owned by Wayne Mast Jr., Eden Acres Farmstead, Steven Miller, and Daren Harvey. Henry Burkholder bred Unique Catch.

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

by Ashley Dailey, for the OHHA