Two of Ohio's top rookie male trotters - Big Ranger and Ready Russell - finally clashed in the same division of the $140,440 Ohio Breeders Championship on Tuesday (Sept. 16) at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.
Coming into the race, Big Ranger was undefeated in five starts, while Ready Russell had one loss in seven outings. In the much-anticipated showdown, Big Ranger (Ronnie Gillespie) took the early lead on the outside, but Ready Russell (Dan Noble) was able to hold inside position through a swift opening quarter of 26 4/5.
The rivals trotted side-by-side into the second turn, but the duel ended abruptly when Ready Russell broke stride, giving Big Ranger full control of the race. From there, the In Range colt coasted through fractions of 56 4/5 and 1:26 1/5 before he pulled away to a commanding 6 1/2 length win in 1:56 2/5. Grape Crush (Chris Lems) finished second, while Soulful Saul (Chris Page) recovered from an early miscue to take third.
Big Ranger, now six-for-six on the season, has earned $220,610 for owner Madison Global.
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The second division was a front-stepping effort from Rose Run Banker (Chris Page). The In Range colt defeated Eleven Bang Bang (Trevor Smith) by 1 3/4 lengths and Bitcoin King (Tyler Smith) was two lengths back in third.
Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Weaver Bruscemi and Knox Services share ownership in the winner. Ron Burke, the Delaware County Fair's leading conditioner, is the trainer.
Battle Hill Takes OBC Sophomore Colt Trot
Driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. and Battle Hill grabbed the early lead and went gate-to-wire to defeat nine rivals in the $117,490 Ohio Breeders Championship for 3-year-old colt trotters in 1:54 3/5. Hilltop Sonar (Chris Page) made a late challenge but came up 1 1/4 lengths short. Longshot What A Buckeye (Tyler Smith) rounded out the trifecta.
The gelded son of Marseille has now won ten of his 19 career starts and banked $373,705 for owner William A. Hartt. He is trained by Matthew Burkholder.
The Wednesday 22-race card featuring the Jugette (Grade 1) and Standardbred Grand Circuit events will kick off at 11:00 A.M. (EDT).
--press release (Little Brown Jug Society)--