Northfield: Racing Rampage, The Real Way capture Ohio Sires Stakes races

Northfield Park rolled out the red carpet for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers in a pair of $55,000 Ohio Sires Stakes events on Saturday night.

In the first division, Seatoshiningsea (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) took over the lead going to the 27 second opening quarter. Racing Rampage (Aaron Merriman) would get going first-over out of fifth on the second turn, and he advanced into second on the outside as Seatoshiningsea hit the half in just 57 seconds. The order remained that way around the third bend, but Racing Rampage forged his way by Seatoshiningsea on the rim coming to the 1:24 1/5 three-quarters and then went back to the pylons after clearing him beyond that marker.

It was all Racing Rampage from there, as he opened up on the rest of the field and scored by three lengths over Rockmelikeyameanit (Billy Davis Jr.) in 1:51 4/5. Seatoshiningsea was able to hold on to finish third.

A gelded son of Racing Hill-Sebring Blue Chip bred by Rose Run Farm, Racing Rampage is owned by trainer Darren Dowler in partnership with Lawrence Bettler. Racing Rampage, a $10,500 purchase at the Buckeye Yearling Sale, broke his maiden in his second start, has now pocketed $28,940, and paid $21.20 to win as a 9-1 offering.

The other split saw The Real Way (Page) on a clear lead through stations of 27 4/5, 56, and 1:24 1/5, and he paced a 28 1/5 last quarter to win by four lengths over Surfside Beach (Wrenn Jr.) in a 1:52 2/5 mile. Street Fightin Man (Davis Jr.) collected third.

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The Real Way, a Downbytheseaside-Real Diva colt, is trained by Ron Burke for co-owners/breeders Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC., and Knox Services Inc. and co-owner Let It Ride Stables Inc. The Real Way has won both of his attempts thus far, pushed his earnings to $33,500, and returned $9.20 to win after being sent off at 7-2.