12-1 upset in Scioto Downs $28,000 Open

Harness racing driver Kayne Kauffman gave Bernie (Big Jim) a perfect second-over trip and the 12-1 longshot came on strong in the stretch to upset the field in the $28,000 Open Pace at Eldorado Scioto Downs Saturday (Jun. 3).

The 8^th race feature started off with Chase H Hanover (Tony Hall) parking out Let It Ride N (Dan Noble) to an opening quarter mile in a quick :25.3.

Race favorite Charlie May (Brett Miller) then emerged first-over going to the half mile with Bernie grabbing the second-over cover as Let It Ride N led the field to the half mile in :55.

Charlie May kept gaining on Let It Ride N, looking his rival in the eyes as they passed the three-quarters in 1:22.1 with Bernie right on the bit following Charlie May.

Starting down the stretch, Charlie May wore down Let It Ride N but could not hold off the late charge of Bernie, who won by a neck in 1:50 with Charlie May second and Let It Ride N third.

BERNIE REPLAY

It was the seventh win of the year for Bernie. The seven-year-old gelding is trained and co-owned by Jessica Millner with the Pod Stable LLC and paid $27.40 to win.

In the 5^th race $27,000 Open II Pace, it all belonged to Odds On Shaggy (Racing Hill), who quarter moved on Incredible Man (Jeremy Smith) after a :26.2 first quarter and then was able to wire the field for driver Tony Hall.

As they reached the half mile in :53.3, Makin Some Noise (Brett Miller) came first-over and tried to take on Odds On Shaggy, who kept control of the lead as the dogfight continued to the three-quarters in 1:20.4.

With Makin Some Noise tiring by the top of the stretch, Odds On Shaggy had just enough left in the tank to hold off Incredible Man in the stretch to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:49.2. Rockin Speed (Sam Widger) was third.

ODDS ON SHAGGY REPLAY

The mile tied Odds On Shaddy’s lifetime mark and was his second win this season. The five-year-old gelding is trained by Virgil Morgan, Jr. for Bottom Line Racing LLC and Operation Horsepower. He paid $6.00 to win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink