Northfield: Odds On Hialeah tops Morgan Jr.-trained exacta in Ohio Sires Stakes

Odds On Hialeah was a first-over winner of a $100,000 Ohio Sires Stakes clash for sophomore pacing fillies on Sunday night at MGM Northfield Park.

There was plenty of action early as Skywalker Sea (Austin Hanners) broke behind the gate and Seaside Wishes (Kayne Kaffuman) miscued on the first turn in the race. Odds On Hialeah (Brett Miller) was also steppy for a bit on the opening bend, but Miller managed to keep her pacing and positioned her third. Meanwhile, Rose Run Aimee (Dan Noble) tipped out of the pocket before the 27 second first quarter and went by My Hare Legend (Aaron Merriman) past that station.

Rose Run Aimee kept the tempo quick to the half in 54 4/5 and the three-quarters in 1:23, as Odds On Hialeah began a first-over advance as the field raced in the backstretch for the second time. Odds On Hialeah joined Rose Run Aimee on the final turn and then sustained her bid to take over the top spot in the lane. It was clear sailing from there as Odds On Hialeah went on to a 2 3/4 length victory in 1:52 1/5, defeating fellow Virgil Morgan Jr. trainee Odds On Chesapeake (Luke Hanners). The Word Is Out (Chris Page) checked in third.

Morgan Jr. trains Odds On Hialeah for Let It Ride Stables Inc., Odds On Racing and Operation Horsepower. Bred by Odds On Nourrir, the daughter of Lather Up has a summary of 11-2-0 from 13 starts, has put away $491,500 and paid $3.60 to win.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

That was one of six Ohio Sires Stakes contests on the program as 2-year-old trotters of both sexes also competed. The fillies went in two $65,000 groupings while the males had a trio of $50,000 flights.

Noble racked up a pair of wins as he guided Ready For Moni gelding Ready Russell, bred by Midland Acres, to a front-stepping victory by 10 3/4 lengths in 1:56 2/5 for trainer Deborah Swartz and owners Jeff Fought Racing, Brian Carsey and David Fought, and trotting filly Demonic Niko, by In Range and bred by Labelle Farms, to a four length triumph on the engine in 1:56 2/5 for co-owner/trainer Erv Miller and partners Anthony Lombardi and Douglas Overhiser.

Co-owner/trainer Chris Beaver and driver Tyler Smith also had doubles. They teamed up with gelding trotter Special Moni, by Ready For Moni and bred by Midland Acres, for a rallying 1:56 4/5 success for co-owners Spaaaartners and Tim Homan, and then Bitcoin King, by Uncle Peter and bred by co-owner Part Time Stable, powered away after going three-wide from second-over before three-quarters to a 1:58 2/5 triumph.

Taking the other filly event was Rose Run Brooke, a daughter of In Range who converted a second-over trip into a 1:58 1/5 win for driver Luke Hanners, trainer Vernon Beachy and owner First Up Racing Stable. Rose Run Brooke was bred by Rose Run Farm.