Superstar stallion Downbytheseaside showed his dominance on Saturday night (July 15) at MGM Northfield Park as his offspring won five of the six Ohio Sires Stakes (OHSS) events. Three of the four $40,000 divisions for two-year-old colt pacers were won by sons of Downbytheseaside while his daughters swept the two $55,000 divisions of the three-year-old filly pace.
In the first division for the freshman colt pacers, Chris Page and Ron Burke picked up the first of their three OHSS wins of the night with Midwind Beach Boy (pictured above). The 1-2 favourite was slow off the gate but rallied from the back of the pack to grab the lead past the first quarter pole. He fought off challenges from Racing Spirit going up the backstretch and Dragons Better around the final turn to win by 1-1/2 kengths in 1:54. Banyan House finished second with Dragons Better third. Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services, J&T Silva – Purnel & Libby and RAS Racing, Midwind Beach Boy has earned $105,000 with two wins in his first three starts.
In the second division, Seasideescape and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. took the lead heading to the first quarter and turned away a late charge down the lane from Pariss Dragon to win for the first time in his career by three-quarters of a length in 1:55.3. Pariss Dragon was second with Side Bar third. The Brian Brown trainee has hit the board in both starts this year and now has $30,000 banked in purses. Seasideescape is owned by Country Club Acres, Joe Sbrocco & JAF Racing, Don Latore and AWS Stables.
Clever Cody, the only winner not sired by Downbytheseaside, captured the third division in convincing fashion. Aaron Merriman took the son of The Panderosa to the lead heading to the first quarter pole but settled for the pocket trip as Janelle Granny took over the top spot. Merriman swept Clever Cody wide around the final turn and opened up to win by 4-1/2 lengths in 1:52.4. It was the first win in three starts for the Dr. Ian Moore trainee. Owned by the Clever Cody Stable, Clever Cody has pocketed $36,800 this year. Janelle Granny held on for second with High On The Hill third.
Page and Burke picked up their second OHSS win of the night in the final division for the two-year-old colt pacers. Outer Banks led gate-to-wire to win by a length in 1:54. Outer Banks has hit the board in all three starts this year, winning two and banked $41,569 for owners Burke Racing Stable, RAS Racing, J&T Silva – Purnel & Libby and Weaver Bruscemi. Fear The Image was second with Hundred Dollar Man third.
Dragon By The Sea, with Dan Noble, won the first division for sophomore filly pacers. Dragon By the Sea grabbed the lead by the quarter pole and stayed there, winning by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:53.2. It was the fourth win in seven races this year for the Jeff Smith trainee, who lifted her lifetime earnings to $105,380 for owner John Van Horn. Fear Of Sports was second with All Sass third.
The final division for three-year-old filly pacers featured four earlier Sires Stakes winners. McSeaside outduelled the others to give Page and Burke their third OHSS win of the night. The 1-5 favourite grabbed the lead just past the quarter pole and rolled to an easy win in 1:52. Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Beasty, J&T Silva Stables and Knox Services. McSeaside raised her lifetime earnings to $431,201 with her fourth win of the year from nine starts. Cruise Alert finished second with Tarapasta third.
Sires Stakes action continues Sunday night at MGM Northfield Park with two divisions of three-year-old filly trotters.
Sometimes shippers need a week, and Adashious Hanover, a $120,000 Harrisburg yearling, proved she was the real deal on Saturday, scoring a powerful victory in the $20,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace.
Leaving alertly from post five, Adashious Hanover bided her time; when she didn’t make the lead, she took a hole in fourth into the first turn. That allowed Lydeo and A Delightful Act N to duel early for the lead. A Delightful Act N managed to work her way to the lead and got to the quarter in :26.2.
Through the stretch for the first time, Adashious Hanover began her bid for the lead, matching strides with the leader past the half in :55.3. Into the backstretch for the final time, Adashious Hanover worked her way to the lead and kicked clear by three-quarters in 1:23.
Driver Billy Davis Jr. didn’t have to move another muscle as Adashious Hanover was on cruise control through the stretch, winning by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:51.4. Tobins Secret bested Waitforever N and Smothastenesewisky for the runner-up honours.
Owned by Thunder Racing Stables, trainer Cory Kreiser and Melissa Loyer, the mare by Captaintreacherous pushed her earnings to $247,450.
Live racing resumes on Sunday evening at 6 p.m. (EDT).
(With files from Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association and Northfield Park)