Rookies battle in BSS at Urbana

Grove City, Ohio – Nine Buckeye Stallion Series races highlighted the first night of harness racing from the Champaign County Fairgrounds in Urbana, Ohio.

Each of the five divisions for two-year-old colt trotters and the four divisions for two-year-old filly pacers carried a purse of $20,000.  Dan Noble won four of the nine races, two in each division.

In the final division for the freshman filly pacers, Naked On A Hill (Nob Hill High) set a new track record for two-year-old filly pacers winning easily by eight lengths in 1:57.  Jeff Nisonger drove for trainer Mark Winters.  The filly has finished first or second in all five races, winning three.  She is owned by Dennis Shaner.

Itsonlyupfromhere finished second with A Special Dance third.

Noble picked up his first win of the night in the first division for freshman colt trotters as he drove Be Not Beasty (What The Hill) to the win in 2:02.1. He grabbed the lead going to the three-quarter pole and drew away to win by three lengths for trainer Scott Cox.  Owned by Michael Soehnlen, it was the first win for Be Not Beasty.  Be Not Beasty has hit the board in all four starts.

Sweeney finished second with Solomon Seal third.

Noble recorded his second win with the colt trotters in the next division.  No Nap Nash (Creatine) surged ahead at the three-quarter pole and cruised to a five-length victory in 2:02.3 for trainer Miles Wollam.  It was the first win of the year for the colt which is owned by Bob Troyer, Martin Wollam, and Norman Rae Racing.

Dew Me A Solid was second with Flash By finishing third.

The third division for three-year-old colt trotters went to Thispete’sonfire (Uncle Peter) and Ronnie Gillespie.  Gillespie took him to the lead and held on down the stretch to win in 2:02.2 for trainer J H Miller.  Owned by Powerline Racing Stable, it was the second win in four starts for Thispete’sonfire.

Tom Swifty finished second with Swan Hilluva Rush third.

Tyler Smith and Bob Da Bomber (Long Tom) went gate-to-wire to win the fourth division for freshman colt trotters.  The gelding won by two lengths in 2:01.4 for trainer Ty Loy who owns Bob Da Bomber with David Wills, Richard Coad, and Douglas Gregory.  It was the third win in five starts for Bob Da Bomber.

Uncle Ruckas was second with Sir Maverick finishing third.

Saint Joe (Creatine) won for the second time in five starts as he won by a neck in 2:02.3.  Ken Holliday drove the gelding for owner-trainer Robert Boggs.

Wavethefreddiebird finished second while Zoned was third.

In the first division for the three-year-old filly pacers, Austin Hanners rallied Frontier Dragon (Dragon Again) down the stretch to win by four lengths in 1:59.2.  Trained by Steve Carter, it was the fifth win in nine starts for the filly.  Frontier Dragon has won four of her last five races for owners Brent Hopper, Kyle Gray, Jerry Scheve, and Michael Gray.

Q Dancer was second with Twirlrinsenrepeat finishing third.

Carter picked up his second training win of the night when Noble drove Legend N Kress (Bit Of A Legend N) to a wire-to-wire victory in 1:58.1.  It was the fifth win in nine starts for the filly who is owned by Jacob Mossbarger, Ben Foor, Corey Martin, and Matthew Kemper.

Lion Order finished second with Kamala crossing the line third.

Noble’s final win in the Buckeye Stallion Series came with Unbridled Fury (Fear The Dragon) who is trained by his wife Christi.  Noble took the filly to the front and never looked back, winning by a length in 1:58.4. Unbridled Fury has hit the board in all four starts, winning two for the ownership group of Michael Cimaglio, William Richardson, and Norman Rae Racing.

Hot Shave was second with Western Time third.

Buckeye Stallion Series action resumes Wednesday, August 9 when two-year-old filly trotters take the track at MGM Northfield Park.

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

by Frank Fraas, for the OHHA