Burke Stable looks tough in Ohio State Fair Stakes

Grove City, OH – Freshmen colts and sophomore filly harness racing trotters will step into the spotlight for the Ohio State Fair Stakes at Eldorado Scioto Downs on Friday (August 2).

A combined total of six divisions will go behind the gate. Of the six, Ron Burke trains four of the morning line favorites.

Three $54,000 divisions of freshmen colt trotters will kick off the night. Twenty-one starters will represent 14 trainers and seven stallions. What The Hill will have seven sons on the track while Long Tom will have six.

Rose Run Alex (What The Hill) is the 9-5 favorite in the first division. Trained by Burke, he has hit the board twice in three lifetime starts. Rose Run Alex won the most recent leg of the Ohio Sires Stakes in 1:56.3. He has bankrolled over $38,000 for Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Weaver Bruscemi, and Knox Services.

Hilltop Sonar (What The Hill) is the even-money favorite in the second division. The gelding is a recent addition to the Burke Brigade. Hilltop Sonar claims the fastest lifetime mark of the field in 1:55.1, set with his only victory in the second leg of the Ohio Sires Stakes. Originally a $6,000 purchase by Kim Dailey from the Buckeye Classic Sale, Hilltop Sonar earned $29,000 in two starts. Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Beasty LLC, and Rich Lombardo Racing now own the gelding.

In the final division, Lt Loverboy (Long Tom) is the 2-1 favorite. The gelding is two for two in the Ohio Sires Stakes with a mark in 1:56.1.  In four lifetime starts, he has amassed $57,500 for owners Wayne Mast Jr and Callam Racing. Daren Harvey trains Lt Loverboy.

For pacing colts, two $85,700 divisions will go forth. Seventeen trainers will send 19 two-year-olds to the track. Nine sires will be represented with Downbytheseaside having eight offspring.

Swingtown (Downbytheseaside) will look to stay perfect in the first division as the 6-5 favorite. Swingtown won both the $150,000 Next Generation and two legs of the Ohio Sires Stakes. In three starts, he has a lifetime mark of 1:52.1. The Burke trainee has bankrolled $132,500 for Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Knox Services, and R A S Racing.

Rick Wink (Bit Of Legend N) is the favorite in the second division at 9-5. The colt is undefeated in three lifetime starts with a mark of 1:52.1. With two Ohio Sires Stakes victories, he is the richest in the field with $63,500 in the bank. Burke trains for Burke Racing Stable, R A S Racing, Knox Services, and J&T Silva – Purnel & Libby.

One division of three-year-old filly trotters, carrying a purse of $139,000, will go behind the gate. The field of eight represents eight trainers and six stallions.

Sugar Instead (Volstead) is the 2-1 favorite. The filly is perfect thus far into her sophomore season. She has five wins on the year, including two Ohio Sires Stake leg victories.  Sugar Instead is trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. She has lifetime earnings of $481,425 for owners Joyce McClelland and Larry Wills.

Eldorado Scioto Downs features Ohio State Fair Stakes action on Thursday (August 1), Friday (August 2), and Saturday (August 3). First race post is 5:45 PM. More information about racing at Scioto can be found on the Eldorado Scioto Downs website.

by Ashley Dailey, for the OHHA