The night’s first race was the $16,500 first
pacing division. Mr I Am (Western
Spirit-Swift Passion-Towner’s Big Guy) used the inside post draw to secure the
early lead and defended that lead against all challengers through fractional
times of 27.3, 57.1, 1:26.1 and 1:55.
The win represents Mr I Am’s 11th victory of 2012, 17th
of his career and pushed his earning in excess of $50,000. The 1:55 clocking is a new lifetime mark for
the colt. Thomas Phillips of Michigan
owns Mr I Am. Robert Dinning drove the
colt for trainer Tricia Shepard.
Finishing behind Mr I Am were Feelin Cornered, Lol Ken Win, Tatas Flash
and Jetstream Friskie. Mr I Am returned
$4.80 to win.
In Race 2 Count Me In (Full Count-Howl-Overcomer)
took the $18,000 first division for three-year old colt and gelding Ohio-bred
trotters for Northfield Park Wall of Fame trainer Marty Wollam. Count Me In started from post-one and led at
every call while being pressured through fractions of 27.3, 56.2, 1:27.2 and
1:59.3. Driven by Sam “Chip” Noble III
it was his 5,001st driving win. Patricia
Wollam of Vienna, Ohio and Acadia Farms Inc. of Canfield, Ohio own Count Me
In. This victory was the 10th
career win for Count Me In and pushes his earnings to nearly $120,000. Also completing the race were Countmymuscles,
Master’s Fly Trap, Rockin H Cheery O, Jailbird Jesse, Willie Bay and Blazing
Future. Count Me In was the favorite and
paid $3.00 to win.
The pacers returned in the third race, with Noble
Trick winning the $16,500 second division. Aaron Merriman drove the colt
for trainer Ron Steck, who also co-owns with Michael Claussen of Macedonia,
Ohio, Darlene Hawkins of Centerburg, Ohio and Julie Hawkins of Fredricktown,
Ohio. Noble Trick (Nobleland Sam-Tricky
Trippy-Towner’s Big Guy) led his rivals from start to finish throughout
quarters times of 27.2, 57.2, 1:25.3 and 1:54.2. This victory represents Noble Trick’s 8th
career win and pushes his earning to nearly $80,000. Finishing in succession after the winner were
Man He Can Skoot, Friskies Cheatsuit, Duke Uh Brava, Larry’s Dream and Gun
Show. Noble Trick returned $5.40 to
win.
The final Ohio Sires Stake of the evening, Race 9, was the
$18,000 second division for three year-old colt and gelding trotters. We Belong Together was the beneficiary of a
ground saving effort, riding the rail and exploding up the passing lane to win
in 1:58.3. David Myers drove We Belong
Together (Jailhouse Jesse-Sugar Chip-Pine Chip) for owner/trainer Theodore
Gawron of Florida. The win is the 6th
career victory for the colt and pushed his earnings to nearly $50,000. Crossing the line after We Belong Together
were Rock N Jessie, Its Jesse Time, Captain Jesse, Al Brown, Jesse’s Touch,
Rose Run Nolan and Cody Coy. We Belong
Together returned $58.20 to win.