Buckeye Stallion Series action at Scioto Downs

Columbus, Ohio – Buckeye Stallion Series harness racing action continued for the third leg for 2-year-old colt trotters on Wednesday (Aug 17) at Eldorado Scioto Downs. Four divisions went behind the gate, each boasting a purse of $17,500.

Serene Bubby (Global Republic S) and driver Chris Lems took the final and fastest division of the night in 1:58.1. Going off as the 7-5 favorite, Serene Bubby let the dust settle before taking the lead at the half.

The gelding cruised across the finish line with Vondell Kemp (Brett Miller) in second and Thatwasnttheplan (Dan Noble) third.

Serene Bubby has now won half of his four lifetime starts with an additional second place finish. Marion Chupp trains for Levi Hershberger.

SERENE BUBBY REPLAY

In the first division, 1-1 favorite Republic Return (Global Republic S) and driver Don Irvine Jr tripped the wire in 1:58.4. The gelding grabbed the lead out of the gate. Unchallenged throughout the remainder of the mile,

Republic Return set fractions in :29.1, 59.4, and 1:29.4 before crossing the finish in a new lifetime mark. Rose Run Yakim (Noble) followed in second with Diggin Hot Blondes (Tyler Smith) finishing third.

Republic Return has hit the board in each of his eight seasonal starts. The Rosy Weaver trainee has bankrolled over $26,000 in six victories. Weaver co-owns the gelding alongside Heartland Acres.

REPUBLIC RETURN REPLAY

At 23-1, Freeborn (What The Hill) produced the biggest upset of the evening in a new lifetime mark of 1:58.2. Leaving from post nine, the gelding got away fifth. After following cover on the backside, Freeborn pulled three-wide at the top of the stretch to best 8-5 favorite Romeo’s Dream (Josh Sutton) in second while Mister Lewis (Smith) completed the trifecta.

Freeborn was a $12,000 purchase from the Ohio Selected Jug Sale. With three wins and two second place finishes, the gelding now has $27,500 in career earnings. Miles Wollam conditions for Bob Troyer.

FREEBORN REPLAY

Tommy Norse (Long Tom) and driver Josh Sutton rocked the third division in 1:59.1. The gelding sat patiently on the rail until the top of the stretch.

Tommy Norse spotted racing room up the Lightning Lane and kicked it into gear. Jogging Full Trot (Kurt Sugg) came in second while Feisty Sam (Matthew Brown) rallied for third.

The victory marks the first lifetime win for the Norman Robbins trainee. Tommy Norse is owned in partnership by his trainer and Susan Irene Robbins.

TOMMY NORSE REPLAY

Live racing returns to Eldorado Scioto Downs on Thursday (Aug 18) at 3:15PM. For more information on the facility and live racing season, visit here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Ashley Dailey, for the OHHA