Dalcroft Big Guy sprinted away from the gate along with Key Western in the featured 5/8-mile sprint at Scioto Downs on Sunday afternoon

. The two pacers dueled through the early stages of the race, covering the first quarter-mile in :26.4 and leaving the others in their wake.

Driver Kayne Kauffman still had the four-year-old Dalcroft Big Guy in high gear when they reached the homestretch. Dalcroft Big Guy pulled away to a three-length win in 1:10.3 for the five-furlong distance. Key Western could not keep up and faded to fourth as Picassos Dream edged Lookout Macaroo for second place.

In Scioto’s first 5/8-mile dash last Sunday, Dalcroft Big Guy finished second in 1:12.3 over a sloppy track.

Dalcroft Big Guy is owned and trained by Eddie George of Zanesville. Sunday’s victory was his sixth of the season in 19 tries. He took a mile mark of 1:58 earlier this year at Northfield.

In other action on Sunday afternoon at Scioto, the sophomore filly Viva La Vida, a three-year-old daughter of Four Starzzz Shark, gobbled up her rivals in the final half to pulled away to an easy seven-length win in 1:57.3, pacing her final half-mile around :56.3. It was her first career start. Claude Hatfield of Ohio owns the winner and Dan Noble drove for trainer Virgil Morgan, Jr.

The 10-year-old trotter Starry Night Star earned a new lifetime record when he scored for driver Chip Noble in 1:59.4. It was the first career training win for Jessica Schroeder.

(Scioto Downs)