Ohio Sires Stakes action at Northfield Park

Grove City, Ohio –The first leg of Ohio Sires Stakes action for harness racing two-year-olds concluded Sunday (July 10) at MGM Northfield Park as Aaron Merriman and Chris Page each won two races.  Six $40,000 divisions were contested, three for the colts and three for the fillies.

In the first division for the filly trotters, Roxanna (What The Hill) with Aaron Merriman was fourth around the final turn but found a gap mid-stretch and charged to the line to win by a head in 1:59.4.  It was the first career start for the filly who is trained by Chris Beaver and co-owned by Sandra Burnett and Beaver. Sedona Hill finished second with Midnight Daydream third.

ROXANNA REPLAY

Sugar Instead (Volstead) and Ronnie Gillespie took the pocket trip and rallied down the stretch to nip Possibility and Merriman at the line to win by a head in 1:58.1, the best time of the six OSS divisions.  Trained by Virgil Morgan Jr., the filly has a win and a second-place finish in her young career.  Sugar Instead has earned $57,500 for owners Joyce McClelland and Larry Wills. My Rory finished third.

SUGAR INSTEAD REPLAY

In the third division, Chris Page and even money favorite Iam Independent (Triumphant Caviar) got away eighth but worked their way through the field going three-wide up the backstretch and around the final turn.  The filly found another gear down the stretch reeling in the leaders to win by a length.  Trained by Ron Burke and owned by Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, and Weaver Bruscemi, it was the first win in two starts for Iam Independent.

She’s Spice was second with Kaminari third.

IAM INDEPENDENT REPLAY

In the first division for the freshman colt trotters, Rose Run Zoom (Uncle Peter) and Don Irvine Jr. went three-wide to grab the lead at the quarter and never looked back winning in 1:57.1.  The filly is trained by Rosy Weaver who co-owns with Heartland Acres and Kabby D LLC.  It was the first win in two starts for Rose Run Zoom.

Commander Tom finished second with Tt’s Magnum Force finishing third.

ROSE RUN ZOOM REPLAY

Page and Burke picked up their first win of the night with Tennessee Tom (Long Tom) in the second division for the colts.  The colt charged up the backstretch from fifth to catch the leader E-pass at the top of the stretch.  The two battled on the way home with Tennessee Tom first to the wire by a head.

It was the first win in two starts for the Burke trainee.  Tennessee Tom has earned $57,500 for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Hatfield Stables, and Knox Services. Long Ridge was third.

TENNESSEE TOM REPLAY

Coming off his win in the Preferred Equine Next Generation, 1-9 favorite Spaaaanzano (Coraggioso) with Merriman made it look easy, going gate-to-wire to win by three lengths in 1:58.4.  The colt is trained by Beaver who co-owns with Spaaaartners, Bill Manes, and Leo Fleming.  Spaaaanzano has won both of his starts this year and has earned $95,000.

Do Whats Right was second with Smooth Talkin third.

SPAAANZANO REPLAY

Ohio Sires Stakes action resumes Saturday, July 15 at MGM Northfield Park with the second leg for two-year-old colt pacers.

For complete race results, click here.

by Frank Fraas, for the OHHA