Two-year-olds shine in $600,000 Next Generation

Columbus, Ohio – 31 of Ohio’s brightest harness racing 2-year-olds went behind the gate in four divisions of the $150,000 Next Generation at Eldorado Scioto Downs on Monday (July 4).

In the first division, Swinging Senorita (What The Hill, Anthony Macdonald) won in gate to wire fashion for filly trotters. The filly confidently tripped the finish line in 1:56.1.

Truly Relentless (Chris Lems) was second and Cali Red (Aaron Merriman) finished third.

Swinging Senorita has won two of three starts for trainer Jason McGinnis. Thestable Senorita Group co-owns alongside Hutchinson Harness. She was bred by Spring Haven Farm and Doug Millard Holdings Usa. 

Going off at 9-1, My Red Sea (Downbytheseaside, Kayne Kauffman) parted the way to win the filly pace division in 1:53. The filly found herself racing in the middle of the pack for the entirety of the mile. As soon as she spotted racing room, My Red Sea went from fifth to first for her debut victory.

Valley Of Fear (Merriman) finished second while Lofty Treasure (Brett Miller) was third.

Kauffman trains and drives for Redline Racing Stables, Redracer LLC, and David Van Dusen. My Red Sea was bred by Schare Adams. 

Black Magic (Full Count, Lems) utilized early speed to secure his victory in 1:57.1 in the colt trot division. The colt was two-wide at the first quarter but never faltered. Once he cleared the front, Black Magic never looked back.

John Dutton (Chris Page) was second by a nose while Rumble Strips (Kauffman) completed the trifecta.

Black Magic is now three for three. The Steve Cross trainee is owned in partnership by Richard Gutnick, Thomas Pontone, and Joseph Lozito Jr. Marvin Raber bred. 

Act Fast (Downbytheseaside, Page) did just that in his division of the $150,000 Next Generation for colt pacers. Leaving from post seven, the son of ducked off the gate and settled toward the back of the pack. Still sitting seventh past the three-quarters pole, Act Fast lived up to his name by surging through the stretch.

His debut victory came in 1:52. Rockmelikeyameanit (Dan Noble) was second and Burnout (Trevor Smith) was third.

Ron Burke conditions Act Fast for Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services, Rich Lombardo Racing, and Beasty LLC. Frederick Hertich III bred. 

The $35,000 William “Doc” McMillen Memorial Invitational Pace went to Ocean Rock (Rockin Amadeus, Noble) in 1:49.1. As no stranger to the winner’s circle, the 5-year-old went off as the betting favorite. The gelding got away second behind Gold Digger King (Tyler Smith) but popped the pocket quickly. Ocean Rock gained control of the field to produced blistering quarters in :26.1, :55, and 1:21.1. Gold Digger King finished in a close second while Catch The Fire (Miller) was third.

Ocean Rock is bred and owned by Sandra Burnett. Christi Noble trains the $1.2 million dollar earner. 

Live racing returns Wednesday (July 6) to Eldorado Scioto Downs. First post is 3:15PM. For more information on the facility and live racing season, visit the Eldorado Scioto Downs website.

For complete race results, click here.