Scioto introduces new six-figure stakes

Eldorado Scioto Downs will host two new $120,000 events during the 2024 harness racing season. Both the Nadia Lobell, for 3-year-old pacing fillies, and the Moni Maker, for 3-year-old trotting fillies, will move to Scioto and be held on Saturday, July 6.

“I was looking for a couple races we could host on our Next Generation night, and these fit the bill really well,” said Jason Roth, Scioto’s Director of Racing. “After talking with Connie (Hochstetler from Red Mile) down at the Race Secretary’s meeting, we’re looking forward to hosting these historic Grand Circuit races.”

The $750 nomination is due March 15, 2024, for both the events, payable to The Red Mile. The $1,000 sustaining payment will be due on April 15, 2024. The declaration fee will be $2,000.

Ten horses will start in each event, with the top 10 highest lifetime money earners who enter that are eligible and qualified to start. Full conditions are available on the USTA website.

The Nadia Lobell was first held in 1990, just two years after the World Champion pacing filly raced her last start. By No Nukes out of the Albatross mare Norah Bell, Nadia Lobell earned just over $1 million on the track and took a lifetime mark of 1:53.4 at Pompano Park at the age of three. Nadia Lobell, the race, was first won by Craft Caper and Howard Parker in 1:53.4. The race, which boasts such great mare winners as She’s A Great Lady, Ohyouprettything, Cathedra Dot Com, Rainbow Blue, Cabrini Hanover, Western Gallie, Little Miss Dragon, Tug River Princess, Put On A Show, Shebestingin and others was then held at The Meadowlands, Red Mile, The Meadows and most recently Harrah’s Hoosier Park.

The Moni Maker was first held in 2005 at The Red Mile and won by Coulantine and Charlie Norris in 1:55.3, before it moved to The Meadows, The Meadowlands and most recently Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Other notable winners over the years have included Passionate Glide, Maven, Bee A Magician, Shake It Cerry, Mission Brief and Manchego.

Needing no introduction Moni Maker, by Speedy Crown out of the Bonefish mare Nan’s Catch, earned a staggering $5.5 million, nearly half earned overseas, and set the World Record for Racing Under Saddle at the age of 7 in 2000 with Julie Krone riding. She was named the Dan Patch Older Trotting Mare of the Year four times (1997-2000), the Dan Patch Trotter of the Year three times (1998-2000), Dan Patch Horse of the Year two times (1998-1999), the Nova Older Trotter of the Year three times (1998-2000) and the O’Brien Older Trotting Mare of the Year twice (1999-2000). She was inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2006. Moni Maker died 10 years ago in 2014 at the age of 21.

“We’re excited to bring these races to Ohio and add to the rich history these mares and these races have offered fans throughout the years,” continued Roth. “It will be a big weekend of racing and we have some special promotions we are working on to bring everyone to Columbus.”

The 90-day 2024 Eldorado Scioto Downs race meet will open on Thursday, May 9 and conclude on Saturday, September 14. Races will be held Tuesday-Saturday with a special holiday card on Memorial Day and Labor Day taking place instead of the Tuesday card that week. First post will be 5:45 p.m. each day except for Friday, September 13 which will have a 6:45 p.m. post to help accommodate horsemen attending the Ohio Selected Yearling Sale. More information about racing at Scioto can be found on the Eldorado Scioto Downs website.

From Eldorado Scioto Downs