Delaware County Fair: Cleveland Darby completes Ohio Triple Crown

The opening day of the 2026 Delaware County Fair started on Sunday (Sept. 20) with steady rain showers and a dull track. However, by mid-card the track was upgraded to fast thanks to a brisk breeze with intermittent sun, and some Ohio-sired stars also shined.

The first division of the $143,300 (div.) Ohio Breeders Championship for 2-year-old filly pacers was set up to be a rematch between Tempting Flames (David Miller) and reining Ohio Sires Stakes champion Cleveland Darby (Chris Page). The two pacers did not disappoint.

Miller hustled Tempting Flames off the gate's wings, putting the eventual winner in the pocket and Demon's Angel (Tyler Smith) in third through the first three-quarters in 28 2/5, 57 and 1:26. As the top three went around the final turn, Page eased Cleveland Darby off the rail and paced alongside Tempting Flames for the final eighth of the mile before Cleveland Darby received the final call in 1:53 2/5.

Ron Burke trains the winner for the Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, R A S Racing and Larry Karr. The daughter of Downbytheseaside has won six of her nine seasonal starts and earlier this year captured her division of the Ohio State Fair and the Ohio Sires Stakes final to become the newest member of the "Ohio Triple Crown" club.

The second $71,650 division went to Cleveland Darby's stablemate Dancin Miki (Chris Page) in 1:57.

Dancin Miki used a first-up journey to pass a tiring pace-setter, Party Up (Aaron Merriman), and pocket-sitter Midnight Haze (Brett Miller) in the final turn to put a head in front. The winning Monte Miki filly held off a late-closing Yourgonaloveme (Ronnie Gillespie) by three-quarters of a length and Miki Grad (Tyler Smith) was another quarter-length back in third.

Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Knox Services and R A S Racing co-own the winner. Ron Burke is the conditioner.

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Rose Run Zane Captures OBC Aged Pace

Rose Run Zane (Brett Miller) protected his rail position and held off a rush by Paris's Dragon (Chris Page) to secure the Ohio Breeders Championship for Aged Pacers in 1:51 4/5. The 5-year-old gelded son by Racing Hill controlled the fractions of 26 4/5, 55 3/5 and 1:23 3/5, fending off early challenges by Downbythewater (Justin Irvine) and For Once Inmy Life (Cory Stratton). Rose Run Zane cruised home in 28 1/5 to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

John K. and Leann M. Saunders are the winning owners and Dan Venier the victorious trainer.

David Miller Sweeps OBC Aged Trot

Driver David Miller sat patiently through the first five-eights of the mile and used a backside brush with Hung Over to take the second division of the $36,700 (div) Ohio Breeders Championship for Aged Trotters.

Caviar Gold (Aaron Merriman) set the early fractions of 28 seconds and 57 1/5 while Hung Over sat third in the early going and put a head in front at the three-quarters in 1:26. Caviar Gold tried to battle back on the rail but came up 3 1/2 lengths short in 1:55.

Bob Stewart trains and Bluestone Farms and Lynda Stewart own the Creatine gelding.

In the first division, Battle Hill held off a late charge of Long Highway (Hugh Beatty) to score in 1:56 3/5. Irresistible Son (Cam McCown) grabbed the early lead from post four and passed the opening quarter in 29 seconds, then Battle Hill and Miller took control as the field approached the half-mile station in 58 3/5. Long Highway was the first to challenge the leader as they approached the three-quarters in 1:28 2/5, but Battle Hill used a 28 1/5 final panel to win by a half-length.

The 4-year-old gelded son of Marseille is owned by William A. Hartt and conditioned by Matthew Burkholder.

Racing action continues on Monday with a 20-race card at 1:00 P.M. (EDT). There will be a $5,000 guaranteed Pick 4 pool in races 17-20.

--press release (Little Brown Jug publicity)--