Northfield: Freshmen trotting fillies battle in Ohio Sires Stakes

Driver Dan Noble and trainer Erv Miller joined forces with a pair of daughters of In Range - Lucky Lady Volo and Demonic Niko - to win two of three $50,000 Ohio Sires Stakes splits for 2-year-old filly trotters on Sunday night at MGM Northfield Park. Guardian Doll won the remaining flight.

Racing in the first division, Lucky Lady Volo went to the lead from post one, put up fractions of 29 1/5, 59 and 1:28 1/5 and kept pocket-sitter Range The Wish (Aaron Merriman) at bay in the lane to prevail by half a length in 1:57 3/5. Sarah's Mission (Chris Page) was third.

Miller also co-owns Lucky Lady Volo, who was bred by Kentuckiana Farms and Jorgen Jahre Jr., with Kentuckiana Racing Stable and Douglas Overhiser. Lucky Lady Volo has a summary of 2-0-1 from four starts, has earned $58,000 and paid $3.80 to win.

In the next section Speedbewithyou (Austin Hanners) cut the 29 3/5 quarter, 59 4/5 half and 1:28 3/5 three-quarters, but Demonic Niko, who went first-over out of fifth before the half, made steady progress on the rim and was able to get by the pace-setter in the stretch to win by half a length in 1:57 1/5. Another Chance (Chris Lems) got third.

Bred by Labelle Farms, Demonic Niko is co-owned by Miller with Anthony Lombardi and Douglas Overhiser. Demonic Niko has a trio of victories and a second from four trips behind the gate, has pocketed $107,500 and returned $3.00 to win.

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Guardian Angel (Ronnie Gillespie) worked her way to the point past the 29 3/5 quarter in the final sire stakes event, and after she reached the half in 59 and the three-quarters in 1:28 1/5, a 30 second final quarter sealed her victory by a length and three-quarters in 1:58 1/5. A Long Breeze (Lems) and Kira (Merriman) completed the trifecta.

By Guardian Angel As, Guardian Doll is trained by Gillespie for owner Madison Global. Guardian Doll, bred by Doug Millard and Spring Haven Farm, broke her maiden in her third chance, has banked $37,745 and paid $6.80 to win.