Merriman wins three of four Ohio Sire Stakes

Grove City, Ohio – Harness racing driver Aaron Merriman found the winner’s circle three times in four Ohio Sires Stakes races Tuesday (July 18) at Eldorado Scioto Downs.  Merriman swept both $55,000 divisions for freshman colt trotters and one of the $55,000 divisions for filly two-year-old filly trotters.

In the first of two races for the colts and geldings, Royal Precedent (Creatine) with Merriman claimed the lead going to the first quarter as race favorite Tennessee Tom with Chris Page went off stride.

Royal Precedent gave up the lead briefly to Rose Run Zoom and Don Irvine Jr., but quickly retook heading to the half.  The gelding had to fight off a late charge from Tt’s Magnum Force and Jason Thompson, holding on to win by a head in 1:57, a new lifetime mark.  It was the second win in three starts for the Sam Schillaci trainee.  Owned by the Claude Gendreau Stable, Royal Precedent has earned $40,750 this year.

Tt’s Magnum Force was second with Rose Run Zoom third.

ROYAL PRECEDENT REPLAY

In the second division. Merriman piloted Spaaaanzano (Coraggioso) to his second Ohio Sires Stakes win of the year.  Spaaaanzano raced to the lead and never looked back, going gate-to-wire to win in 1:57.  It was the third win in as many starts.  Chris Beaver trains and co-owns with Spaaaartners, Bill Manes, and Leo Fleming.  Spaaaanzano raised his earnings to $122,500 with the victory.

Commander Tom finished second with A Million In Coins third.

SPAAAANZANO REPLAY

On the filly side, Merriman collected his first Sires Stakes win of the night as he took Possibility (What The Hill) wire-to-wire to win in 1:56.  Trained by Beaver, it was the first win in three starts for Possibility.  The filly is co-owned by Beaver, W J Donovan, Joe Sbrocco, and Mark Moger.  Possibility has earned $55,500 this year.

She’s Spicy was second with Sister Wives finishing third.

POSSIBILITY REPLAY

Sugar Instead (Volstead) made it two-for-two in Sires Stakes starts.  Sugar Instead with Ronnie Gillespie settled into the third spot through the first half mile.  Heading up the backstretch Gillespie took the filly to the lead, holding on to win in a new lifetime mark of 1:56.2.  Trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. and owned by Joyce McClelland and Larry Wills, Sugar Instead has won two of three this year, earning $85,000.

Iam Independent finished second with Midnight Daydream third.

SUGAR INSTEAD REPLAY

Ohio Sires Stakes action continues Wednesday night at MGM Northfield Park with three divisions of two-year-old filly pacers.  First race post time is 6:00 PM.

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

by Frank Fraas, for the OHHA