Justasiam AS sets track record at Dayton

Grove City, OH – The 2023 Buckeye Stallion Series wrapped up in style Saturday (September 30) at Hollywood Dayton Raceway Justasiam AS (Lionhunter) set a new harness racing track record and trainer Melby Ober Jr. claimed two of the $75,000 Stallion Series titles.

In the 2-year-old filly trot final, Justasiam AS with Tony Hall was sixth after the first quarter, fought through traffic up the back stretch, and finally found racing room around the final turn. Hall pulled her three at the top of the stretch and drove down the line to win in 1:54.4, a new track record for freshman filly trotters. Justasiam AS is trained by Anette Lorentzon and owned by ACL Stuteri AB. It was the filly’s fourth win in nine starts and raised her earnings to $94,630. Jurassic Hattie finished second with Hot Tea third.

JUSTASIAM AS REPLAY

Ober Jr. picked up the first of his two titles for owner Matt Rowe in 3-year-old filly pace, Beautiful Seaside (Downbytheseaside), a Rowe homebred, with Brett Miller grabbed the lead just past the first quarter and held off a late rally from Stormy Serena to win in 1:50.3. It was her tenth win of the year. She has earned $134,010 this year. Onederfulbeach finished in third.

The second title for Ober Jr. and Rowe came in 2-year-old colt pace with another homebred. Well That’s Marky (Well Said) and Chris Page grabbed the lead heading the half-mile and held on down the stretch to win by a nose in a photo with Seeuatthesmoke in 1:53.2. The gelding has hit the board in nine of ten races this year, winning four. Well That’s Mark has now earned $82,060 this year. Finishing third was Dragon You Along.

Naked On A Hill (Nob Hill High) had to rally from the back of the pack to claim the 2-year-old filly pacing title. Jeff Nisonger and the filly had the lead heading to the three-quarters and held off the 1/5 favorite Illegal down the stretch to win by a head in 1:52.4. Naked On A Hill has hit the board in all ten starts, winning five. Trained by Mark Winters and owned by Dennis Shaner, Naked On A Hill has earned $81,4454. Fear Of Moonlight was third.

The 2-year-old colt trot title went to Be Not Beastly (What The Hill). Be Not Beastly and Chris Lems sat patiently in third until the top of the stretch. Lems dipped him to the inside and charged to the line winning by a half-length in 1:57.1. It was the second win of the year for the Scott Cox trainee. Owned by Michael Soehnien, Be Not Beastly raised his earnings to $69,255. Bob Da Bomber was second with Irresistible was third.

Senterprise (Enterprise) and Dan Noble rallied from three-lengths back around the final turn and reeled in Asian Zing late in the stretch to win by half a length in 1:54.4 to claim the 3-year-old trotting championship. It was the fifth win in 18 starts for him. Unraced as a two-year-old, Senterprise is trained by Christi Noble and owned by Dennis Owens, Norman Rae Racing, and James Morris. With the win, Senterprise has earned $104,315 this year. Long Tom Jess finished third.

In the 3-year-old colt pace, Liteningonthebeach (Downbytheseaside) with Dexter Dun raced to the lead just past the quarter and held off a hard charging Don’ttouchmytruck at the wire to win by nose in 1:50.2. Brian Brown trains Liteningonthebeach for owners Country Club Acres Joe, Sbrocco, Acadia Farms, and Rich Lombardo. It was the tenth win in 18 starts for Liteningonthebeach, who has earned $168,850. Trooper L was third.

The final Buckeye Stallion Series championship of the night, the 3-year-old filly trot went to Vintage (Creatine) and Sam Widger. Widger took the filly to the lead and never looked back cruising to a three-length gate-to-wire win in 1:55.2. It was the fourth win in 12 starts for Vintage. Trained by John Ryan Melsheimer and owned by Joyce McClelland and Mel Rose Stable, Vintage has earned $78865 this year. Waddupgee was second with Golden Endeavor third.

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

by Frank Fraas, for the OHHA