Majestic Dinner is star of Ohio series

GROVE CITY, Ohio - Favorite Majestic Dinner survived a stretch- long duel with Fax a Freddy and held sway for a neck victory in Monday's $100,000 Best of Ohio Endurance Championship, the richest of five races for Ohio-breds that make up the Best of Ohio series.

Majestic Dinner ($3.60) stalked Unbridled Time, trained by D. Wayne Lukas, through three-quarters of a mile run in 1:10.88. Under jockey Ricardo Feliciano, Majestic Dinner, a 4-year-old gelding, dueled outside Unbridled Time around the second turn before being joined by Fax a Freddy in upper stretch. The pair raced as a team through the final furlong, with Majestic Dinner covering the 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.32.

The victory was Majestic Dinner's third straight stakes score for trainer Miguel Feliciano. It was his 10th career win from 21 starts, and it sends his career earnings over the $250,000 mark for owners Pyrite Stables.

* John Q's Winner controlled the pace throughout and scored a convincing 6 1/4-length victory in the first stakes of the series, the $50,000 Best of Ohio Sprint Championship.

Scott Saito rode John Q's Winner ($7), and the winner covered the six furlongs in 1:08.63, tying the track record. Rod Madrigal Sr. trains John Q's Winner for owners Regalbuto and Quagliata.

* Joanies Bella, entering off a win in the Grade 3 Arlington-Washington Lassie, led throughout and drew off for an easy 12-length victory in the $75,000 Best of Ohio Juvenile Fillies Championship.

Craig Perret was aboard Joanie's Bella for trainer Tim Hamm and owners Fellowship Farm. She returned $2.80, and won her fourth career stakes.

* U S S Tinosa rallied for a one-length victory over pacesetter Watch Me Fire in the $75,000 Best of Ohio Juvenile Championship.

The victory was U S S Tinosa's second career win and his second straight stakes score for trainer Larry Richardson. Luis Gonzalez rode the winner, who paid $5 as the second choice in the 10-horse field.

* Ashwood C C ($4.80) took command of $75,000 Best of Ohio Distaff on the backstretch and was never challenged thereafter, as she scored a 4 1/2-length victory over Lady Cherie in the 1 1/8-mile event.

Saito rode Ashwood C C for trainer Rod Madrigal Sr. Ashwood Thoroughbreds own the 3-year-old daughter of Cryptoclearance, who won for the fifth time in 18 career starts.

The $2 pick 5 on the Best of Ohio races, which featured three betting favorites and two close second choices, returned $231.60.