LEBANON, OH. – The largest Buckeye High 5 betting pool of the harness racing season is assured Tuesday (May 2) afternoon at Miami Valley Raceway when the 12th race, a $40,000 division of Ohio Sires Stakes first leg action for 3-year-old pacing colts, goes postward. The 10-cent base wager hasn't been solved in a full week, generating a carryover into the Tuesday pool of $6,946.38. With the nearly $7000 carryover, Miami Valley racing officials predict the final total pool will approach-or possibly exceed–$15,000.

The Buckeye High 5 12th race is the fourth and final Ohio Sires Stakes division for the sophomore pacers and is comprised of a full field of ten. The likely favorite will be Heracer (Aaron Merriman, 3-1 morning line), fresh off a 3rd place finish in the James K. Hackett Memorial championship despite a parked-out journey. The Chris Beaver trainee has two wins already this season, including a 1:52.4 score in his Hackett elimination. Other multiple winners in the field are How Are Yee John (Tony Hall, 8-1)), who won seven Ohio fair stakes at two and has started 2017 with three straight impressive overnight triumphs at Northfield Park; plus Barnabas (Ronnie Wrenn Jr., 6-1) and McThriller (Chris Page, 4-1), both from the powerful Brian Brown Stable. Each won four times in their freshman seasons and earned $200,000 between them. Also vying for the winner's share of the $40,000 purse will be Stroke Of Midnight (Peter Wrenn, 10-1), Banderbear (Josh Sutton, 5-1), McSpidey (Ryan Stahl, 6-1), Sunny's Bro (Greg Grismore, 20-1), Woodecando (Tyler Smith, 20-1) and Hannahsboy Ken Win (Mike Oosting, 20-1).

As a 10-cent wager, punters can cover many combinations at a reasonable cost. The object is to pick the first five finishers in the official order of finish.

Post time for race 1 is 2:05 p.m. Tuesday with the Buckeye Pick 5 likely to go off at approximately 5:45 p.m.

Gregg Keidel