by Jay Wolf

Now that the calendar has turned from 2024 to 2025, we look back at some of the more memorable moments of the past racing season in the Buckeye state.

WEDNESDAY (JAN. 3) — HAGERMAN SECURES CAREER TRAINING WIN 1,000

Trainer Herman Hagerman conditioned his 1,000th career winner when Mayhem Like Me crossed the MGM Northfield Park finish line in 1:55.4.

THURSDAY (JAN. 4) — TRAINER ADAMS NOTICES WIN 1K

At Miami Valley Raceway, conditioner Brewer Adams scored three wins, including career win 1,000 with Orv.

TUESDAY (JAN. 9) — KAUFFMAN JOINS 4,000 WIN CLUB

Driver Kayne Kauffman recorded his 4,000th winning drive at Miami Valley Raceway. He began his driving career in 1994 with his initial win at the Darke County Fair.

SATURDAY (JAN. 13) — BYTHEMISSAL NAMED OHIO HORSE OF THE YEAR

The 4-year-old son of Downbytheseaside defended his title as Ohio’s best for the previous year. Bythemissal earned $984,666 and won 11 of 16 seasonal starts, including the Breeders Crown Open Pace.

SATURDAY (JAN. 13) — DR. JOHN MOSSBARGER JOINS OHIO HALL OF FAME

Dr. John Mossbarger (above), president of Midland Acres, Inc., became the 50th member of the Ohio Hall of Fame, joining his father Dr. Don Mossbarger, who was inducted in 1994.TUESDAY (FEB. 6) — MGM NORTHFIELD PARK RETURNS TO ACTION

The home of the “Flying Turns” returned to racing after missing seven dates due to fickle weather and an unsafe racing surface. Dojea Rock picked up the first race win in 1:56 with driver Kurt Sugg and trainer Jessica Millner.MONDAY (MARCH 4) — NEW TRACK MARK SET AT MVG

Spitfire Overseas (Brett Miller) cruised to a seven-length win in the $24,000 feature. The winning time of 1:51.1 established a new track record for 4-year-old male trotters.

THURSDAY (MARCH 14) — MIAMI VALLEY ALL-AGE RECORD SET

Artatac A (Dan Noble) tied the Miami Valley Raceway record for the fastest mile ever by a pacer as he won the $34,000 open handicap pace in 1:48.4.

SATURDAY (APRIL 20) — MYERS WINS HIS 2,000TH

Driver Hunter Myers earned his 2,000th career victory aboard A Delightful Act N in the $18,500 filly and mare distaff at MGM Northfield Park.

SATURDAY (JUNE 8) — THE BATTLE GOES TO THE ‘LITTLE MAN’

Jeremy Smith and Little Rocket Man scored a 20-1 upset victory in the $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie at MGM Northfield Park. The 8-year-old defeated a deep field that included the 2022 Little Brown Jug champ, Bythemissal.

MONDAY (JUNE 10) — OHIO FAIR SEASON KICKS OFF

Jewell Said (Ed Konrad) won the first Ohio county fair race of the season. The 2-year-old filly pacer won in 2:03.2 at the Paulding County Fair and paid $34.80 to win.

SATURDAY (JUNE 15) — ACCIDENT AT SCIOTO

Three drivers were injured as a result of a racing accident that occurred in the 13th race. Drivers Tony Hall (hip), Sam Widger (wrist) and Jeremy Smith (neck and back) missed some of the stakes season action as a result.

SATURDAY (JULY 6) — NEXT GENERATION HIGHLIGHTS GRAND CIRCUIT CARD

The future Ohio stars shined in the $150,000 Next Generation events with The Word Is Out (2FP), Aunt Lilly (2FT), Swingtown (2CP), and What’s Shakin (2CT). The undercard featured the $100,000 Moni Maker (won by Allegiant) and the $100,000 Nadia Lobell (won by Seaside Diva).

TUESDAY (AUG. 7) — ACCIDENT SIDELINES THREE

A racing accident in the ninth race at Eldorado Scioto Downs sidelined three of Ohio’s top drivers — Chris Page, Jeremy Smith, and Luke Hanners — for an extended period of time.

THURSDAY (SEPT. 18) — CAPTAIN ALBANO SIPS FROM THE LITTLE BROWN JUG

Captain Albano received a perfect pocket trip from driver Todd McCarthy in the final heat to capture the 79th edition of the Little Brown Jug in 1:50.1.

SATURDAY (SEPT. 28) — DUNN SWEEPS DAYTON GRAND CIRCUIT EVENTS

Driver Dexter Dunn swept the Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway grand Circuit events: the $250,000 Dayton Distaff Derby (Twin B Joe Fresh), the $250,000 Dayton Oaks (Jiggy Jog S),

the $250,000 Dayton Trotting Derby (Logan Park), and the $250,000 Dayton Pacing Derby (Abuckabett Hanover).

SATURDAY (OCT. 6) — PAGE TAKES
7,000TH

Driver Chris Page won career race No. 7,000 with Papa Nordin in the Buckeye Stallion Series consolation (3CT) at MGM Northfield Park.

SATURDAY (OCT. 12) — OHIO’S BEST SHINE ON SUPER NIGHT

The best Ohio breds competed in the $2.4 million Ohio Sire Stakes final night at MGM Northfield Park. Driver Brett Miller and trainer Virgil Morgan, Jr. took three titles each.

SATURDAY (OCT. 19) — OHIO FAIR SEASON ENDS

MGM Northfield Park hosts the $400,000 Ohio Fairs Championships to wrap up the 2024 fair schedule.

FRIDAY (OCT. 25) — MERRIMAN SURPASSES 16,000 CAREER WINS; WRENN GETS BC WIN

Aaron Merriman came back to the winner’s circle for the 16,000 time after he piloted Divas Dragon to victory at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

Another leading Ohio driver shows his stuff in winning the Breeders Crown. Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. won the 2-year-old colt pace with Louprint.

TUESDAY (OCT. 29) — SOUTHWIND AMAZON TIES WIN RECORD

The 14-year-old Southwind Amazon scored a 2¼-length win in an $8,400 conditioned pace at MGM Northfield Park. The win was his 137th and tied Niffit (1977–89) for the all-time modern era record for wins.

SUNDAY (NOV. 10) — DAVIS SCORES 4,000TH

Driver Billy Davis, Jr. earned his 4,000th career victory with Jillian B Miki at MGM Northfield Park.

MONDAY (NOV. 11) — TRAINER REACHES MILESTONE

Cory Kreiser earned his 1,000th career training victory, conditioning Brooklets Desire to victory at MGM Northfield Park.

FRIDAY (NOV. 15) — FRAAS TAPPED AS NEW OHHA HEAD

Frank Fraas was announced as the new executive director of the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association.

MONDAY (DEC. 30) — HOLLYWOOD
GAMING AT DAYTON RACEWAY MEET CONCLUDES

The meet training title came down to the final day between Virgil Morgan, Jr. and Ron Burke. Burke won two on the closing night to win by five. Driver Dan Noble ran away with the driver’s title.

MONDAY (DEC. 30) — MGM NORTHFIELD PARK WRAPS UP 2024 SEASON

Trainer Cory Kreiser and driver Aaron Merriman take the dash titles for the Route 8 oval.