Seven Ohio Sires Stakes (OHSS) were contested on Saturday evening (Aug. 14) at Northfield Park. The fourth and final leg of the series for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings solidified the top eight contenders who will vie in the $300,000 Championship, set for Sept. 4 at Northfield.
Sitting atop the standings with nine undefeated starts this season is Winning Ticket, who cruised to an easy 1:54.1 win for Aaron Merriman in the first of two $50,000 legs over the Cleveland half-miler. Owned by Chris Beaver, Steve Zeehandelar, Tim Homan and James Burnett, the son of Triumphant Caviar notched his 13th victory and pushed his career earnings to a hefty $284,547 with this latest win. Winning Ticket, who was bred by James Bender, has earned $100,000 in Ohio Sires Stakes competition alone this season, winning his previous OSS legs in 1:55.3, 1:54, and 1:53.1 before this latest score.
Mcstoned Again took a career mark of 1:56 in the second $50,000 for sophomore trotting colts with Tony Hall at the lines. The son of Wishing Stone is conditioned by Chris Hershberger for owner Sonia Vermlye and picked up his sixth victory and first in OHSS competition. This homebred finished a solid third in leg 2 and upped his earnings to $58,745 with this win.
A trio of $40,000 OHSS for two-year-old trotting colts saw Up Blueberry Hill, The Mighty Hill and Slim Jimmy all take their respective divisions. Up Blueberry Hill, the 4-1 choice, posted a 1:57 clocking for driver Chris Page and trainer Ron Burke. The Mighty Hill, the 7-5 favourite, paced to a 1:56.1 track record for a two-year-old trotting gelding in rein to Aaron Merriman. Chris Beaver trains the son of What The Hill. Slim Jimmy, who hails from the barn of Jason McGinnis and driver Anthony MacDonald, paced to a winning 1:56.3 in his division as the 1-5 favourite.
Finally, two $50,000 OHSS contests for two-year-old pacing colts saw 2-1 Terminator score in 1:52.2 for trainer Ron Burke and driver Chris Page, with 8-1 Tre Cruz posting a 1:52.2 clocking for driver Brett Miller and trainer Steve Carter in third round action.
Round four of the 2021 Ohio Sires Stakes season wraps next weekend with races on Friday night (Aug. 20) at Scioto Downs for three-year-old filly trotters and pacers; on Saturday night (Aug. 21) at Scioto Downs for three-year-old colt pacers and two-year-old colt trotters and pacers; and on Sunday night (Aug. 22) at Northfield Park with divisions for 2-year-old filly trotters and pacers.
Ohio Sires Stakes Championships get underway beginning on Saturday, Sept. 4 with four $85,000 Veteran’s Championships for four-year-olds and up at Scioto Downs, followed by the $300,000 Championships for two- and three-year-olds at Northfield on Sunday, Sept. 5. The $75,000 Consolation for two- and three-year-olds will be raced on Friday, Oct. 2 at Dayton Raceway.
(Ohio Sires Stakes)
Winning Ticket has never lost
Winning Ticket has never lost a race in which he didn't break stride.