While the top three-year-old pacers in the country were on display Saturday night (Aug.12) at MGM Northfield Park, the best of Ohio’s freshman colt pacers and sophomore colt trotters were also featured in Ohio Sires Stakes action with two $55,000 divisions of two-year-old pacers were contested along with one $100,000 division of two-year-old colt trotters.
In the first division for the two-year-olds, Clever Cody took the lead heading to the first quarter and never looked back, winning by a length in 1:51.2. Janelle Granny finished second with Pariss Dragon third.
Trained by Dr. Ian Moore and owned by Clever Cody Stables, Clever Cody has earned $127,300 this year and it was the fourth straight win, three of them in Sires Stakes action, for the son of The Panderosa.
In the second division, Denial with Brett Miller sat fifth heading to the half-mile pole. Heading up the backstretch, the gelded son of Lather Up went three-wide and closed in on the leader, Hundred Dollar Man around the final turn. As the two hit the top of the stretch, Denial grabbed the lead and hit the wire first in 1:52.2 to win by three-quarters of a length. High On The Hill was second with Hundred Dollar Man third.
Trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. and owned by Never 2 Lates Stable, Joe Sbrocco and John Fodera, Denial has earned $35,500 this year and it was the first win in six starts for the 20-1 longshot.
In the lone division for sophomore trotters, John Dutton and Chris Page went gate-to-wire, winning by nearly two lengths in a new lifetime mark of 1:52.2, equalling the track record set by Jet Hill. Black Magic was second with Jet Hill third.
Trained by Ron Burke and owned by Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services, Johnny Yoder and RAS Racing, John Dutton has earned $181,541 this year and it was the eighth win in 13 starts this year for the son of What The Hill.
Ohio Sires Stakes action resumes on Friday (Aug. 18) when three-year-old filly pacers open action in the fifth leg.
(With files from Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)