Northfield: Sugar Instead romps in Ohio Sires Stakes

Sugar Instead improved to five-for-five in the win column in 2024 with a 1:55 3/5 victory in a $100,000 Ohio Sires Stakes contest for sophomore trotting fillies on Wednesday night at MGM Northfield Park.

Jurassic Hattie (Kurt Sugg), Sugar Instead's main competition in the event, had the lead through panels of 28 1/5, 59 and 1:27, but Miller angled Sugar Instead to the outside from the pocket on the final bend to take her shot. Despite the well-rated pace, Jurassic Hattie was no match for Sugar Instead in the stretch, as Sugar Instead went right by on her way to a 2 1/2 length triumph. Jurassic Hattie held second from Roxanna (Aaron Merriman).

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The Ohio Sires Stakes champion for this group last year, Sugar Instead has a summary of 12-2-1 from 16 appearances, has pocketed $481,425 and paid $3.80 to win as the 4-5 favorite. Sugar Instead, a daughter of Volstead, was bred by Elmer Miller and is trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. for owners Joyce McClelland and Larry Wills.