Vekna, Sweet Harmony three-peat in Buckeye Series

Grove City, Ohio – MGM Northfield Park hosted four $20,000 harness racing divisions for the fourth leg of the Buckeye Stallion Series for two-year-old colt trotters on Sunday evening (Sept. 8). Two victors, Vekna (Enterprise) and Sweet Harmony (Uncle Peter) scored their third series win of the season.

Vekna took the second division in 1:59.2. Guided by trainer Kayne Kauffman, the gelded son of Enterprise settled in fourth as the opening quarter came in :28.3. Vekna followed cover as the field passed the half in an even 1:00. Kauffman urged the 2-5 favorite three-wide while heading to the 1:29.3 three-quarters marker. Stride for stride with the leader around the final turn, Vekna shifted gears down the stretch to win by three lengths.

VEKNA REPLAY

Cowboy Poker (Austin Hanners) held on for second with Silverton (Hunter Myers) in third.

Vekna has won five of six lifetime starts. After missing the first leg of the Buckeye Stallion Series, Vekna has notched victories in the three most recent legs. The gelding has earned $41,122 for owner Natalie Kauffman. He was bred by Spring Haven Farm.

Sweet Harmony and Ronnie Gillespie won the third division in 1:58.2. Despite leaving from the sixth post position, Sweet Harmony swiftly left the gate to grab the lead. The Uncle Peter gelding set the opening fractions in :29. and :59.2. Rose Run Atm (Aaron Merriman) challenged for the front first-up and passed the three-quarters in 1:27.4. Still on the inside, 2-5 Sweet Harmony fought back in the final turn to win with a length to spare.

Mister Squeeze (Hanners) finished second and Rose Run Atm was third.

SWEET HARMONY REPLAY

Gillespie conditions Sweet Harmony for owner Anthony Miller. With $43,598 in the bank, Sweet Harmony has won eight of 12 lifetime starts. The gelding secured victories in the first, third, and now fourth series legs. He was bred by Steiner Stock Farm.

The first division was taken by Letsgotoparis (Mister Anson) in 2:00.4. Merriman and Letsgotoparis found the perfect pocket trip behind even-money favorite Seven Lick Tom (Chris Lems). Letsgotoparis stayed patient as the fractions came in 29.4, 1:00.3, and 1:30.1. At 9-5, Letsgotoparis pulled to the outside at the top of the stretch and dug in every step of the way. The son of Mister Anson secured his victory in the final stride.

Seven Lick Tom was second while Naabaahii (Kauffman) finished third.

Although Letsgotoparis has won half of his eight lifetime starts, the victory marks the first series win for the colt. Trained by Edward Miller, Letsgotoparis has earned $24,867. Miller co-owns alongside Ashley Dunn. Adrian Hochstetler bred Letsgotoparis.

Despite an early miscue behind the gate, Full Moon Howl won the final division in 1:59.2. The gelded son of Full Count was on a break leaving the gate but quickly got back on stride. Driven by Gillespie, the gelding raced from the middle of the pack as the opening quarter passed in :28.4. Feeling confident, Full Moon Howl flushed cover passing the 59.1 half-mile marker. Down the backside, 2-1 Full Moon Howl pulled three-wide and marched past the leaders at the 1:29.1 three-quarters pole. Opening up by three lengths, Full Moon Howl scored in a new lifetime mark.

Flying Tom (Greg Grismore) finished second with Rockers Legend (Justin Irvine) third.

Full Moon Howl has hit the board 11 of 13 tries this season, earning $36,220. It was Full Moon Howl’s first Buckeye Stallion Series victory. Jessica Smith trains and co-owns the trotter alongside her daughter Madisyn Smith. Full Moon Howl was bred by Andrew Kauffman.

Buckeye Stallion Series action continues with sophomore trotters on Sunday (Sept. 15) at the Delaware County Fair.

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

by Ashley Dailey, for the OHHA