Delaware County Fair: Action Uncle trots another world record mile in his OBC division

Action Uncle came in to the Ohio Breeders Championships (OBC) for 3-year-old male trotters at the Delaware County Fair with the world record for a 3-year-old colt trotter on a half-mile track of 1:53 2/5, set on June 13 of this year at Northfield Park. It's Academic took that mark away by winning Wednesday afternoon's first $48,241 grouping in 1:53 1/5, but Action Uncle reclaimed his spot at the top of the charts later in the day, stepping off a 1:52 4/5 mile.

Buxton (Dan Noble) left like a shot from the outside post six and was able to get to the top, but Brett Miller had Action Uncle out of the pocket before the 27 4/5 quarter and took charge past that marker. Miller kept the pace pretty quick after that, clicking off a half in 55 3/5 and a three-quarters in 1:24 4/5, and he let Action Uncle rattle in the final quarter, closing in 28 seconds to win by 5 3/4 lengths over Buxton. Yanks Dugout (Kurt Sugg) got third.

In addition to the world record, this also completed an Ohio Triple Crown campaign for Action Uncle as he had already won the Ohio State Fair and the Ohio Sires Stakes final, both at Scioto Downs.

"He's not the biggest, but he's a blocky little guy. He's got great conformation, and he's a pleasure to train," said winning trainer Virgil Morgan Jr.

Carl Howard, Joyce McClelland, and Larry Wills own Action Uncle, a colt by Uncle Peter. Action Uncle, who also set a world record for a rookie trotting colt on a half-mile track in 2019 at the Delaware County Fair when he won his OBC in 1:54, is now an 11-time winner from 15 appearances, and he has pocketed $570,035. He returned $2.10 to win as the 1-9 favorite.

Back in the first division, It's Academic (Chris Page) cut out fractions of 28 2/5, 57, and 1:25 2/5 on his way to win by 3 1/2 lengths in what was a world record performance at the time. Stonefire Us (Dewayne Minor) was the runner-up after putting in a good attempt from first-over, and Big Box Hanover (Noble) took third.

Ron Burke trains It's Academic, another Uncle Peter colt, for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., W.J. Donovan, Joe Sbrocco, and Hatfield Stables. It's Academic picked up his tenth career victory, and he has now banked $339,784. He paid $2.40 to win as the 1-5 favorite.

There were also two $52,921 Ohio Breeders Championship clashes for rookie trotting fillies on the card, and Page and Burke teamed up to win the initial one of those with Rose Run Whitney in 1:57 1/5. Rose Run Whitney was left first-over past the 1:28 1/5 three-quarters when Incomeorexpenses (Tyler Smith) was able to clear to the lead, but she kept coming forward despite losing her cover, and went by Incomeorexpenses in the stretch en route to a 1 1/4 length decision. Imalovelylady (Anthony MacDonald) got up for second, and Incomeorexpenses had to settle for third.

A filly by Uncle Peter, Rose Run Whitney is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC., W.J. Donovan, J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby, and Joe Sbrocco. Rose Run Whitney has three victories and a third from six trips behind gate, and she pushed her earnings to $42,660. She returned $4.20 to win as the wagering choice.

Page and Burke were looking for another one with Ohio Sires Stakes champion Merry Ann in the other OBC tilt for 2-year-old filly trotters, but she broke behind the gate and was never a factor. 13-1 shot My Jazz (MacDonald) took advantage, going to the front, carving out stations of 28 1/5, 58 4/5, and 1:27 3/5, and scoring a length and a quarter in 1:58. I Am Winning (Miller) was the runner-up from second-over, and Celebrate With Me (Sugg) wound up third after a first-over trip and getting rebuffed by the winner.

My Jazz is a daughter of My MVP trained by Jason McGinnis for owner Thestable My Jazz Group. My Jazz made her third appearance in the winner's circle from eight efforts, and she has now stashed away $117,560. She paid $28.80 to win.