By Jay Wolf
The opening day of the 2026 Delaware County Fair on Sunday (Sept. 20) started with steady rain showers and a dull track, but by mid-card, the track was upgraded to ‘fast’ thanks to a brisk breeze and intermittent sun, and some Ohio-bred stars also shined.
The first division of the $143,300 (div.) Ohio Breeders Championship for freshman colt pacers was set up to be a rematch between Tempting Flames (David Miller) and reigning Ohio Sires Stakes champion Cleveland Darby (Chris Page). The two pacers did not disappoint.
Miller hustled Tempting Flames off the gate’s wings, putting the eventual winner in the pocket and Demon’s Angel (Tyler Smith) in third through the first three-quarters in :28.2; :57, and 1:26. As the top three went around the final turn, Page eased Cleveland Darby off the rail and paced alongside Tempting Flames for the final eighth of the mile, and Cleveland Darby received the final call in 1:53.2.
Ron Burke trains Cleveland Darby for the Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, RAS Racing, and Larry Karr. The son of Downbytheseaside has won six of her nine seasonal starts and earlier this year captured the Ohio State Fair and the Ohio Sires Stakes Final to become the newest member of the Ohio Triple Crown club.
The second $71,650 division went to Cleveland Dabry’s stablemate, Dancin Miki (Chris Page), in 1:57.
Dancin Miki used a first-up campaign to pass a tiring pacesetter, Midnight Haze (Brett Miller), and Party Up (Aaron Merriman) in the final turn to put a head in front.
The Monte Miki filly held off a late closing Yourgonaloveme (Ronnie Gillespie) by three-quarters of a length, and Miki Grad (Tyler Smith) was another quarter-length back in third.
Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Knox Services, and RAS Racing co-own the winner. Ron Burke is the conditioner.
Rose Run Zane Captures OBC Aged Pace
Rose Run Zane (Brett Miller) protected his rail position and held off a rush by Paris’s Dragon (Chris Page) to secure the Ohio Breeders Championship for Aged Pacers in 1:51.4.
The 5-year-old gelded son by Racing Hill controlled the fractions of :26.4, :55.3, and 1:23.3, fending off early challenges by Downbythewater (Justin Irvine) and For Once Inmy Life (Cory Stratton).
Rose Run Zane cruised home in :28.1 to win by one and a quarter lengths.
John K. and Leann M. Saunders are the winning owners, and Dan Venier the victorious trainer.
David Miller Sweeps OBC Aged Trot
Driver David Miller sat patiently through the first five-eighths of the mile and used a backside brush with Hung Over to take the second division of the $36,700 (div) Ohio Breeders Championship for Aged Trotters.
Caviar Gold (Aaron Merriman) set the early fractions of :28 and :57.1. Hung Over sat third in the early going and put a head in front at the three-quarters in 1:26. Caviar Gold tried to battle back on the rail but came up three and a half lengths short in 1:55.
Bob Stewart trains, and Bluestone Farms and Lynda Stewart own the Creatine gelding.
In the first division, Battle Hill held off a late charge of Long Highway (Hugh Beatty) to score in 1:56.3.
Irresistible Son (Cam McCown) grabbed the early lead from post four and passed the opening quarter in :29. Battle Hill and Miller took control as the field approached the half-mile station in :58.3. Long Highway was the first to challenge the leader as they approached the three-quarters in 1:28.2. Battle Hill used a :28.1 final panel to win by a half-length.
The 4-year-old gelded son of Marseille is owned by William A. Hartt and conditioned by Matthew Burkholder.
Racing action at the Delaware County Fair continues on Monday (Sept. 21) with a 20-race card starting at 1 p.m.