Seven Ohio Sires Stakes (OHSS) were contested on a humid Saturday night (Aug. 21) at Scioto Downs, with a trio of $40,000 events for two-year-old trotting colts; two $50,000 events for two-year-old pacing colts; and a pair of $50,000 races for three-year-old colt pacers.
All these events were the fourth and final leg of the series, with the highest point earners grabbing a starting berth in the $300,000 Championships at Northfield Park on Sept. 5.
Charlie May scored a tough decision in 1:49.3 over rival Heart Of Chewbacca in the second division for sophomore pacing colts. The son of Mcardle wore down the leading Heart Of Chewbacca to notch his 13th victory and sixth seasonal victory. Odds On Shaggy got up for third. Brett Miller drove the winner, who now has $424,850 in seasonal earnings and $753,477 in career earnings for breeder-owner Don R. Tiger.
The smooth-pacing Borntobeshameless captured the first of two OHSS contests for three-year-old pacing colts in a swift 1:52 for driver Danny Noble and trainer Christi Noble. The son of Big Bad John paced to his second victory in a career-best clocking for owners James Morris, Dennis Owens, and Norman Rae Racing. The winner left the gate as the 9-2 choice, besting 7-1 Third Edition, while 6-5 favourite Truly Noble finished third. Borntobeshameless now has $52,086 in his coffers because of this victory.
Charlie May leads all rivals in this division with 162 points, followed by Heart Of Chewbacca with 154 points and Four-Star Flash with 64 points, Borntobeshamelss with 52 points and Rock N Republic with 51 points. Im Sorry Man has 49 points, Laughagain Hanover has 42 points and Truly Noble has 40 points. These eight pacers have earned their way into their $300,000 Championship.
Gulf Shores left no doubt he was much the best in the first of the two OHSS events for freshmen pacing colts, stopping the timer in 1:52.4 with Ronnie Wrenn Jr. at the lines. This son of Downbytheseaside had captured legs one and two in 1:52.4 and 1:51.3, but chose to sit out the third leg for owners Country Club Acres, Diamond Creek and Wingfield Brothers. Conditioned by Brian Brown, Gulf Shores was the 1-9 favourite, beating 15-1 Rose Run Explosion with 23-1 Vintage Cowboy third. Gulf Shores now has $101,500 in career earnings with this latest win, his fourth victory in as many starts.
Sling Shock, the 6-5 favourite, captured his third OHSS by winning the second division for two-year-old pacing colts. The son of Downbytheseaside was piloted by Dan Noble for trainer Christi Noble and owners Cimaglio, Richardson, Salmen and Gilmartin to a 1:52.1 clocking, his fourth win in five lifetime starts. Terminator was second for Chris Page while Tre Cruz was third for Brett Miller.
Sling Shock sits atop the OHSS points with 179; Gulf Shores is second with 153 points; and Terminator third with 112 points; followed by Tre Cruz with 91 points; and Seaside Way with 85 points. Also earning a starting berth in the Championship are Rose Run Xplosion (74 points), Buckeye Seaside (62 points), and Mr Nuttin Nice (52 points).
Access, a son of Creatine who was making just his third lifetime start, captured the first OHSS division for two-year-old trotting colts in 1:56.3 for driver Danny Noble. The Bob Stewart-trainee, the 9-5 choice, bested 7-5 Guido Di by a whisker at the wire, while 8-1 Body Armor got up for third. This was Access’ only foray into OHSS competition, and the homebred upped his career earnings to $31,600 with the win.
Aaron Merriman gave The Mighty Hill a perfect steer to capture the second division by a whisker in 1:56.1 over stablemate and 2-5 favourite Gabbys Bit Coin. The son of What The Hill picked up his fourth win in six starts and first in OSS competition. Chris Beaver trains for Beaver, Robinson and VIP Internet. Wishing Max, a 66-1 longshot, was third for Anthony MacDonald. The Mighty Hill now has $63,485 in his lifetime bankroll.
Rose Run Xtra and driver Chris Page captured the third trotting division for freshmen colts, stopping the timer in 1:56.3 as the 4-1 choice. The son of Cash Hall is conditioned by Ron Burke for Burke Racing, Hatfield, Knox Services and Melilio and picked up his first career victory with the OHSS triumph, besting 1-1 favourite Caviar Gold and Unhitched, who is also conditioned by Burke. Rose Run Extra, who was bred by Ohio’s Rose Run Farm, upped his career earnings to $75,075.
Caviar Gold and Gabbys Bit Coin are tied for the lead among all freshmen trotting colts in the OSS standings with 128 points each, followed by Slim Jimmy (117 points), Rose Run Xtra (116 points), Guido Di (104 points), The Mighty Hill (103 points), Up Blueberry Hill (67 points) and Chulo (57 points).
Ohio Sires Stakes action continues Sunday night (Aug. 22) with three $40,000 divisions for two-year-old filly trotters and two $50,000 divisions for two-year-old filly pacers.
(Ohio Sires Stakes)