Scioto: Sugar Instead, Iam Indepedent prevail in Ohio Sires Stakes

Sugar Instead and Iam Independent were the winners of the two $55,000 Ohio Sires Stakes contests for rookie trotting fillies that were featured on Thursday night's card at Eldorado Scioto Downs.

Driven by Ronnie Gillespie in the first split, Sugar Instead led through fractions of 27 4/5, 59 and 1:27 4/5 on her way to a 5 1/2 length victory in 1:56. My Rory (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) held second after a pocket trip and Justasiam As (Tony Hall) finished in the third spot.

A daughter of Volstead bred by Elmer Miller, Sugar Instead is trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. for owners Joyce McClelland and Larry Wills. She has pocketed $181,125 to go with her five triumphs and two runner-up finishes in seven outings and paid $2.20 to win as the 3-5 favorite.

Possibility (Trevor Smith) was in front at the 28 3/5 quarter and 57 4/5 half in the other section, but she would be overtaken for the top spot by fellow Chris Beaver trainee Roxanna (Aaron Merriman) coming to the 1:26 1/5 three-quarters. When Roxanna cleared, that left Iam Independent (Chris Page) first-over, but despite losing her cover, Iam Independent charged into the lead in the stretch and went on to tally by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:56 2/5. Possibility came back on in the passing lane to get second over her stablemate.

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By Triumphant Caviar and bred by Marion Beachy, Iam Independent tallied for the third time and has now put away $100,500 for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Hatfield Stables, Weaver Bruscemi LLC. and Knox Services Inc.