Fillies fly in BSS at Scioto

Columbus, Ohio – Sophomore filly harness racing trotters took to the track for the third leg of the Buckeye Stallion Series on Thursday (Aug 25) at Eldorado Scioto Downs. Each of the three divisions competed for a purse $17,500.

La Belle Riviere (Triumphant Caviar) and driver Aaron Merriman swept the first division in a new lifetime effort of 1:55.4. After settling in third along the rail, the filly was flushed out at the :58.1 half mile marker.

The 7-5 favorite found herself first up through the final turn but hit another gear at the top of the stretch. Purple Aura (Anthony Macdonald) finished second with Vandy’s Legacy (Josh Sutton) in third.

Unraced at two, the Chris Beaver trainee has tallied five wins and banked over $53,000 in her sophomore season. La Belle Riviere is owned in partnership by her conditioner as well as Donald Robinson and Steven Zeehandelar.

LA BELLE RIVIERE REPLAY

The second division was taken by Sweet On Pete (Uncle Peter) and driver Anthony Macdonald in 1:57.1. Leaving from post six, Sweet On Pete left the gate conservatively. The filly followed cover past the opening quarter but found herself three-wide on the backside. The 2-5 favorite dug in at the top of the stretch to best Brekkenridge (Merriman) while Moments Created (Kurt Sugg) completed the trifecta.

The victory marks the second BSS win for Sweet On Pete in 2022.  Trained by Jason McGinnis, the 3-year-old filly has scored four wins in 11 seasonal starts. Sweet On Pete now boasts $109,477 in lifetime earnings for TheStable and Hutchison Harness.

SWEET ON PETE REPLAY

At 1-5, Alana Hill (What The Hill) and driver Mitch Cushing went wire-to-wire in the final division of the night. The filly posted fractions in :28.2, :57.4, and 1:26.3 before stopping the clock in 1:56. Gracious Triumph (Don Irvine Jr) held on for second and Kahlua Mudslide (Tyler Smith) was third.

Alana Hill has hit the board 15 times in 21 lifetime starts. With $83,925 in seasonal earnings, the filly is trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. Gc Gold Racing, Walnut View Farm, and John Schlabach own Alana Hill.

ALANA HILL REPLAY

Ohio Sires Stakes action for 3-year-old filly trotters will highlight the racing program on Friday (Aug 26) at Eldorado Scioto Downs. First post is 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