Two-year-old fillies took the stage Thursday (August 3) at Eldorado Scioto Downs in Ohio State Fair harness racing action. Iam Independent (Triumphant Caviar) took the first $54,500 division for trotters, tying the 1:55.1 track record.
Leaving from post five, Chris Page took Iam Independent straight to the front, albeit parked for the first turn, and hit the quarter in :27.2. Comfortably clocking fractions of :57.1 and 1:26.4, the filly kicked home in :28.2 to win by two lengths. Race favorite Sugar Instead (Ronnie Gillespie) was in hot pursuit pulling from third at the three-quarter pole but could not get there. Possibility (Aaron Merriman) got the pocket trip and finished third.
IAM INDEPENDENT REPLAY
Iam Independent is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Hatfield Stables, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Knox Services Inc. Bred by Marion Beachy, Iam Independent now has $73,000 in earnings in five starts. Going off at 5/2 she paid $7.40 to win.
Justasiam As (Lionhunter) took a different approach to win the second $54,500 division by coming off the pace to win in 1:57.3. Tony Hall took the filly off the gate to seventh while Purplepeopleater (Anthony MacDonald) set early fractions of :28.2 and :59.2. Hot Tea (Tyler Smith) came first up with Hall third over. The field hit the three-quarters in 1:28.1 and halfway through the last turn Justasiam As was four-wide. Justasiam As won by a half length over Hot Tea with Chulita (Trevor Smith) finishing third.
Justasiam As is trained by Anette Lorentzon for owner/breeder ACL Stuteri AB. The filly now has $47,250 earned in four starts with three wins. The race favorite paid $4.40 to win.
JUSTASIAM AS REPLAY
Roxanna (What The Hill) and driver Aaron Merriman were declared the winner of the third division, going for $55,200, when race favorite Jurassic Hattie (Brett Miller) caused interference late in the stretch. Jurassic Hottie set early fractions of :28, :58 and 1:26.3. Midway down the backstretch Merriman had Roxanna out and moving to close in :28.4 to fall just a nose short.
After a judgeās inquiry, Roxanna was placed first at 9 to 1 to pay $21.20 to win. Roxanna, is trained by co-owner Chris Beaver and co-owned by breeder Sandra Burnett. Roxanna now has two wins in four starts with $58,600 in earnings.
ROXANNA REPLAY
The 2-year-old pacing divisions were won by Seaside Diva and Rose Run Zoey.
Seaside Diva (Downbytheseaside) and driver Chris Page took the first division in 1:51.2 by a length and a quarter over Flyin Bullets (Miller) and Heartofthesea (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.). The filly took back out of the nine hole and came charging home in :26.4 to win for trainer Ron Burke and owners/breeders Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Knox Services Inc and Let It Ride Stables Inc. Seaside Diva now has three wins in a row in six starts and earnings of $111,750.
SEASIDE DIVA REPLAY
Rose Run Zoey (Lather Up) also came off the pace to take her division in 1:51.3 for Tyler Smith. Illegal (Kayne Kauffman) finished two and a half lengths back while Daisyās Star (Merriman) was third. The filly is owned by Miller Racing Stable Inc. and trained by Ryan Miller. She now has four wins and $53,450 in earnings.
ROSE RUN ZOEY REPLAY
The final division of Thursday evening went to Beautiful Lather (Lather Up) in 1:52.4. Merriman took the filly back to fourth in early fractions :27.1 and :56. By the 1:23.4 third quarter, she was out and moving to challenge the leader Fearless Ginger (Chris Lems). Getting up to win by one and three-quarter lengths, Beautiful Lather took her second win in six starts for co-owner/trainer Tye Loy and David Wills, Richard Coad and Douglas Gregory.
BEAUTIFUL LATHER REPLAY
Ohio State Fair action continues Friday (August 4) with 2-year-old colt trotters, 3-year-old filly pacers and 3-year-old filly trotters. First post is 5:50 p.m. Special promotions throughout the weekend include family āstate fairā type activities including a petting zoo on Friday, food trucks and bounce house.
Racing is held at Scioto Downs each Tuesday and Wednesday with a 3:15 p.m. first post and Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays with a 5:50 p.m. first post through Saturday, September 16. Follow @SciotoRacing on Twitter for all the details of the 2023 racing season at Eldorado Scioto Downs.
More information about the entire Scioto Downs racing season, including race schedule, wagering menu, VIP room reservations and more can be found by clicking here.
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results