Ohio Sires Stakes season begins May 2
At 0h36, on May 2, 2021 • By MIAMI VALLEY
The 2021 Ohio Sires Stakes season kicks off Sunday (May 2) at Miami Valley Raceway, with three divisions for sophomore fillies. As well, four divisions of sophomore colts will race at this same venue on Monday (May 3). Post time both days is 2:05 p.m.
A total of 27 fillies will race in OSS events on Sunday, with one $60,000 division of nine trotters and a pair of $50,000 divisions of pacing fillies with nine contestants each. Likewise, on Monday afternoon, two $50,000 divisions of trotting colts and two $50,000 divisions of pacing colts will line up behind the starting gate.
This season the Ohio Sires Stakes nominations are up significantly, with 1,071 foals nominated as opposed to 930 in 2020. Of those, 314 are 3-year-olds, up from 300 in 2020, while 757 are 2-year-olds, up from 630 nominees during the same time period.
Last season’s 2-year-old champion Merry Ann makes her seasonal debut on Sunday for trainer Ron Burke in the lone trotting division (race six). This daughter of Southwind Spirit, out of the S J’s Photo mare Witty Girl, earned $245,200 last year from five wins and two seconds in eight starts and captured the $300,000 OSS final at Scioto Downs in 1:57. Her career mark of 1:56h came at Northfield in a $40,000 OSS contest on Aug. 7. Most recently, she qualified at The Meadows in front-stepping fashion in 2:01. Bred by Knox Services, she is owned by her breeder in partnership with Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi.
On Monday afternoon, Perron leaves from post four in the second OSS trotting division (race four). This son of My MVP-Long Island Tea captured the $300,000 OSS final on Super Night last season in 1:58f and is making his third start this year. Trained by Chris Beaver for Steve Stewart, David Wright, Greg Wilcoxen and Kevin Doherty, Perron has amassed $206,204 lifetime for his connections.
