Northfield: Ohio Sires Stakes action featured on Sunday's card

Three-year-old trotting fillies were in the spotlight on Sunday evening at Northfield Park as they tangled in two $55,000 Ohio Sires Stakes contests.

In the first division Sweet On Pete (Anthony MacDonald) and Toes In The Water (Ryan Stahl) battled most of a 27 4/5 opening quarter, but Sweet On Pete was able to take command passing that marker. From there, Sweet On Pete hit the half in 58 2/5 and the three-quarters in 1:27 while Favorite Aunt (Brett Miller), who went first-up from fourth nearing the half, moved into second on the outside.

Favorite Aunt was able to wear down Sweet On Pete to take over the top spot midway through the final bend, and Favorite Aunt would hold sway to the wire, prevailing by a length over a gaining Moments Created (Kurt Sugg) in a 1:55 3/5 performance. Sweet On Pete ended up finishing third.

A daughter of Uncle Peter, Favorite Aunt is trained by Matthew Burkholder for co-owner/breeder Marty Wollam and co-owner Dark Horse Farm LLC. G And B Racing also has a breeding credit on Favorite Aunt, who won for the third time in 14 starts and has now banked $105,395. She paid $9.00 to win as the 7-2 third choice.

Gabbys C Note (Aaron Merriman) won her fifth consecutive race in the other split. Gabbys C Note led through fractions of 28, 58, and 1:26 3/5, and then drew off in a 28 3/5 final kicker, downing Criquette Hall (Chris Page) by 7 1/4 lengths in 1:55 1/5. Abbey D (Tyler Smith) rounded out the trifecta.

Last year's Ohio Sires Stakes champion for the group, Gabbys C Note, trained by co-owner Chris Beaver, is a daughter of Triumphant Caviar bred by co-owner Johanna Beaver. Steven Zeehandelar rounds out the ownership group of Gabby's C Note, who has a record of 13-3-0 from 17 lifetime tries, has now put away $424,400, and returned $2.40 to win as the 1-5 favorite.