Pin Stripes had to work hard to get to the lead in Saturday’s Open Pace at Scioto Downs, but then his pursuers had to work hard to catch him, and they couldn’t get it done

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The four-year-old son of Jate Lobell zoomed to a 1:53.2 win for driver Dan Noble, trainer Mike Conklin, and owners Jim Coffman, Martha Handschmaker, Adriann Stuart, and Jeanine Conklin. It was his fourth win in 10 starts this season and seventh in only 17 career starts.

Lis Deo, an easy winner in last week’s Open Pace at Scioto, was made the 3-2 second choice in the betting, but he lagged in the early going as Blue Creek Bad Boy got to the quarter in :27.1.

Driver Jeremy Smith eased Blue Creek Bad Boy off the bit and let the challenging Pin Stripes take control. Then driver Dan Noble slowed the pace through a :29-second quarter before the rear guard began to mount a challenge.

Bettor Thantherest made a futile challenge to the leader and then faded. Lis Deo was caught third-over in a flow that failed to progress and he was too far back to catch the leader.

Pin Stripes won by four and three-quarter lengths. He went off at even-money and paid $4.20 to win. Bad Creek Bad Boy claimed second place while favored Lis Deo rallied in the final quarter to claim third. Delivered Rules and Bettor Thantherest also picked up cheques.

It was one of three wins on Saturday night for Dan Noble, the track’s leading driver and the fourth leading race winner in North America in 2011.

(Scioto Downs)