Sugar Instead continued her dominance in the Ohio Sires Stakes as she cruised to victory at Eldorado Scioto Downs on Thursday, Aug. 24. Sugar Instead won the first of two $55,000 divisions for two-year-old filly trotters while Iam Independent won for the second time in Sires Stakes action in the other division.
In the first division, it was all Sugar Instead. Ronnie Gillespie took Sugar Instead to the lead and never looked back winning by five lengths in a new lifetime mark of 1:56. The 1-9 favourite was never challenged as she covered fractions of :27.4, :59 and 1:27.4. Trained by Virgil Morgan Jr., the daughter of Volstead raised her earnings to $181,125 for owners Joyce McClelland and Larry Wills. Sugar Instead has won five of seven starts with two second-place finishes. All five wins have been in Ohio Sires Stakes action. My Rory was second while Justasiam AS finished third.
It was a different story for Iam Independent in the second division. The Triumphant Caviar filly with Chris Page sat fifth at the half-mile mark, six lengths behind the leaders. Iam Independent followed cover up the backstretch making her move around the final turn. Iam Independent reeled in the leader Roxane at the top of the stretch and drew away to win by two lengths in 1:56.2. Trained by Ron Burke, Iam Independent won for the third time in seven starts. She raised her earnings for the Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Weaver Bruscemi, and Knox Services to $100,500. Possibility finished second with Roxanna third.
Ohio Sires Stakes action resumes Friday, Aug. 25 at Eldorado Scioto Downs with the fifth leg for two-year-old filly pacers and three-year-old colt trotters.
(Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association)