Scioto Downs to host Ohio State Fair races August 3-5

Eldorado Scioto Downs will host 19 harness racing divisions of the Ohio State Fair races this weekend, Thursday-Saturday (August 3-5). Horse racing was held at the Ohio State Fairgrounds from the late 1860s through 1984. In 1985, the State Fair Races moved to Scioto. The Ohio State Fair runs through Sunday, August 6.

The 2-year-old filly pacers and trotters go first, with their races held on Thursday, with three divisions of each going to post. The pacing fillies go off first, in the State Fair Managers Pace as races 1, 3 and 14, with total purses of $173,300. Morning line favorites include Heartofthesea (by Downbytheseaside) for trainer Brian Brown and driver Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. at 2/1; Rose Run Zoey (Lather Up) for trainer Ryan Miller and driver Tyler Smith at 9/5; and Fearless Ginger (Fear the Dragon) for trainer Kelly O’Donnell and driver Chris Lems at 5/2.

The three divisions of trotting fillies will go for a total of $164,200 in the Ohio Fairs Trot, races 2, 7 and 13. Early favorites in those races include Sugar Instead (Volstead) for Ronnie Gillespie/Virgil Morgan, Jr. at 3/2; Justasiam As (Lionhunter) for Tony Hall/Anette Lorentzon at 5/2; and Next Generation Winner Jurassic Hattie (by Volstead) for Brett Miller/Eric Nesselroad at 2/1.

Friday’s Ohio State Fair races include divisions for 2-year-old colt trotters, 3-year-old filly pacers and 3-year-old filly trotters. The 3-year-old filly trotters will be in the Pride of Ohio Trot, races 1 and 14 going for $151,000 total. Doc’s Boo Boo, the alternate gaited Downbytheseaside, is the 2/1 morning line favorite in the first divisions for Jeff Nisonger/Mark Winters. The other divisional favorite is Rose Run Yolanda (Triumphant Caviar) at 2/1 for Brett Miller/Todd Luther.

The colt trotters face off in the Ohio State Trot in races 2, 3 and 10 for total purses of $169,500. Royal Precedent (Creatine) is the even money favorite in the first division for Aaron Merriman/Sam Schillaci. Other divisional favorites, also at 1/1 on the morning line are Spaaaanzano (Coraggioso) for Aaron Merriman/Chris Beaver and Tennessee Tom (Long Tom) with Chris Page/Ron Burke at 7/5.

The 3-year-old filly pacers fill the Ohio First Lady Pace, races 4 and 7, going for $154,000. A pair of Downbytheseasides are the 2/1 morning line favorites in their respective divisions – Mcseaside for Chris Page/Ron Burke and Super Girl for Tony Hall/Virgil Morgan, Jr.

Colts fill up the Saturday night action with two divisions each of the 2-year-old colt pacers (going for $172,000); 3-year-old colt pacers ($149,700) and 3-year-old colt trotters ($147,000).

Racing is held at Scioto Downs each Tuesday and Wednesday with a 3:15 p.m. first post and Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays with a 5:50 p.m. first post through Saturday, September 16. Follow @SciotoRacing on Twitter for all the details of the 2023 racing season at Eldorado Scioto Downs.

More information about the entire Scioto Downs racing season, including race schedule, wagering menu, VIP room reservations and more can be found at www.SciotoDowns.com.

by Jason Roth, for Eldorado Scioto Downs