2YO pacers center stage July 4 at Scioto Downs

A total of 49 freshmen Ohio-breds passed the Scioto entry box for the first round of the 4-leg series, including 17 homebreds.

Seventeen Ohio-registered stallions are represented in these five divisions, including Pet Rock (with 11); Western Vintage (with 9); McArdle (7); and Dragon Again & Yankee Cruiser with five each. Big Bad John, Mister Big and Rockin Amadeus are all represented by two foals each, with one youngster each from Believeinbruiser, Cheyenne Rei, Feelin Friskie, Nob Hill High, We Will See, and Woodstock.

In the first OSS division (Race 1), Valparasio Hanover leaves from post three for trainer Tyler Bates and owners Suzanne Bate and Robyn McGhee. This colt is a son by Dragon Again, and is the fourth foal out of the Badlands Hanover mare Vasmajorty Hanover ($2,400), making him a half-brother to Viceroy Hanover (by Somebeachsomewhere) p, 3, 1:52.3f ($103,290). Valparasio Hanover finished second in his pari-mutuel debut on June 27, in a $10,000 Scioto maiden, pacing in 1:54.3 with Kayne Kauffman at the lines. Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, Valparasio Hanover was a $10,000 yearling purchase at the Ohio Select Sale.

Another sharp, first time starter is Easeondowntheroad, a Rockin Amadeus gelding conditioned by Kimberly Dailey for breeders/owners Down The Lane Stables. He scored a winning qualifier in wire-to-wire fashion in 1:58.2 for Dan Noble on June 18 at Scioto Downs. Easeondowntheroad is the fourth foal out of the Presidential Ball mare Best Of Ball p, 4, 1:52.2f ($273,135), and is a half-brother to Rockingtheniteaway (By Rocknroll Hanover) p, 3, 1:55.f ($54,810). He'll start from the eight-hole with Noble in the bike once more.

Tap Tap Tap hails from post nine with Chris Page at the controls in this same event. Trained by Brian Brown, this McArdle colt is the first foal out of The Panderosa mare Bombilla Hanover p, 5, 1:51f ($204,303), and was a $65,000 yearling purchase at the Buckeye Classic Sale last fall by his breeder, S S G Stables. Tap Tap Tap scored a 1:55.4 winning qualifier on June 27 at Scioto, with a :28.1 final brush.

High On Paydaze starts from post two in the second OSS division (Race 3) with Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., driving for trainer Brian Brown. Owned by Scott Hagemeyer, R. Mondillo and D.E. Robinson, High On Paydaze scored a pair of qualifiers at Delaware, on June 14 (second in 1:59) and on June 20 (winning wire-to-wire in 1:58.4). This homebred son of Nob Hill High is the fourth foal out of The Panderosa mare Myell p,4, 1:56.1h ($34,688) and is a half-brother to Myell's Rockstar (by World of Rocknroll) p,4, 1:52.1f ($129,326) and to Pacin To Paydaze p,2, 1:54.4h ($41,617).

Tanner J, in this same division, leaves from the eight-hole with Tyler Smith at the lines for trainer Steve Novak and owner-breeder Gerald Mijal. This bay Believeinbruiser gelding has a trio of winning efforts coming into his OSS test. He first won at Paulding in 2:06.4 by 10½ lengths on June 12, then scored a qualifying victory at Scioto on June 18 in 1:57.4 before winning at Ottawa on June 27 in 2:03.2 by 8¼ lengths. Tanner J is the fifth foal out of the Artistic mare How Is Carrie p,4, 1:55.3f ($28,066), and is a full brother to: Bugger Bruiser p,4, 1:49.3s ($442,855); Don'tbruisecarrie p,4, 1:52.2s ($96,090); Bugger Jerry p,4, 1:55.4h ($32,734) and Believeincarrie p, 2, 2:01.1h ($14,420).

Melanie Wrenn will harness up Odds On Columbus, a brown Yankee Cruiser colt owned by Odds On Racing, from post eight with Peter Wrenn driving in the third OSS division (Race 5). This youngster qualified twice at Hoosier Park–on June 13 and 27–pacing to winning times of 1:55.2 and 1:57. Bred by Birnam Woods and Olive Branch Farm, Odds On Columbus was a $70,000 yearling purchase at the Lexington Select Sale. He is the third foal out of Princess Character p, 7, 1:51.4f ($177,959), and is a half-brother to Queen Josephine (by Roll With Joe) p, 3, 1:54.4 ($169,015) and Rocknrollroyalty (by Rocknroll Heaven) p, 4, 1:52.2s ($72,978).

In this same race See You In Tuscany starts from post two for trainer Jason McGinnis and driver Anthony MacDonald. The We Will See colt won his debut qualifier on June 9 at Woodbine in 1:55.4 by six lengths in wire-to-wire fashion, and followed that up with a second-place finish in 1:56.2 at that same Canadian raceway. Bred by Mark Marroletti, See You In Tuscany was a $10,000 yearling purchase at the Buckeye Classic Sale by Thestable Tuscany Group. He is out of the McArdle mare Mcdance Desire p, 2, 1:55 ($22,457) and is a half-brother to Dancin Dragon (by Dragon Again) p, 3, 1:54 f ($15,902).

Bombay Hanover brings impressive credentials into this same race from post three, with Danny Noble driving for trainer Nancy Johansson. This New Jersey invader is a bay son by Western Vintage owned by Marvin Katz, Sam Goldband, AJ Libfeld and Perry Soderberg, who paced to a 1:56.3 fifth-place finish on June 16 and a second-place, 1:55 finish on June 23 in a pair of Meadowlands qualifiers. Bombay Hanover is the tenth foal out of the Cambest mare Best Not Tell p, 3, 1:53.2 ($32,211), making him a half-brother to: Best Man Hanover (by Western Ideal) p, 6, 1:58.4 ($488,385); Bestnotlie Hanover (by Western Hanover) p, 8, 1:50.2f ($456,365); Voltina (by Allamerican Native) p, 3, 1;52.4 f ($277,499); Scootie Best Lou (by Ponder) p, 5, 1:53.2f ($125,516); and Busboy Hanover (by Western Ideal) p, 3, 1:52.3 f ($81,550), etc. Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, Bombay Hanover was a $30,000 yearling purchase at the Ohio Select Sale.

Rock Candy heads up OSS division four (Race 7) for trainer Brian Brown and owners Country Club Acres, Joe Sbrocco and Richard Lombardo from post eight. The Pet Rock colt won both of his Delaware qualifiers–on June 14 and 20, pacing in 1:57 and 1:57.3 respectively for Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., who'll be back in the sulky once again. Bred by Mark Mjoger and Albert Delia, Jr., Rock Candy was purchased for $60,000 at the Ohio Select Sale and is the second foal out of the Sportsmaster mare Cotton Candy p, 3, 1:52.3 ($188,312), with half-siblings in Mr D's Dragon (by Dragon Again) p, 4, 1;50.1f ($206,198) and Anna D (by Ponder) p, 4, 1:54.1f ($37,300).

In the final OSS division (Race 10), Authentic Hanover looks like the horse to beat. The son of Western Vintage is conditioned and co-owned by Dustin Arledge for partners Hutchison Hms, M. J. Thompson. This youngster qualified twice at Scioto Downs, finishing second in 1:58.1 and 1:57.4 on June 11 and 18–then romped to a 1:54, three-length, wire-to-wire triumph in his pari-mutuel debut a $10,000 Scioto maiden event on June 17. In each of his starts, Authentic Hanover posted consistent, :27 second final panels.

This $18,000 yearling purchase was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms and is the tenth foal out of the Artsplace mare, world champion Armbro Amoretto p, 3, 1:50.1m ($1,285,744). Thus, Authentic Hanover is a half-brother to: Bet You (by Bettor's Delight) p, 4, 1:50.3f ($391,452); Adams Hanover (by Western Hanover) p, 4, 1:50.4f ($202,374); Air Guitar Hanover (by Rocknroll Hanover) p, 6, 1:52.2f ($182,470); and Aldine Hanover (by A Rocknroll Dance) p, 2, 1:52.1s ($121,806).

Ohio Sires Stakes action continues Friday night, July 6 at Scioto Downs, with Leg 1 races for 2-year-old pacing fillies and on Saturday night, July 7 at Northfield Park with Leg 3 action for sophomore colt pacers.

by Kimberly RInker, for the Ohio Standardbred Development Fund