The curtain closed on the 53rd racing season at Eldorado Scioto Downs on Saturday (Sept. 17). With 90 days complete, Later Dudes scored in the $29,000 featured Horse and Gelding Open Pace for the final time of the 2022 live meet.

Later Dudes claimed the victory in 1:49.2. Driven by Chris Page, Later Dudes left from the pylons as the 3-5 favourite. The five-year-old gelded son of Sweet Lou refused to race from the pocket and quickly gained control of the field. Later Dudes set fractions in :27.2, :55.2 and 1:22.2 before besting Let It Ride N by a head with Chase H Hanover completing the trifecta.

Later Dudes has more than doubled his lifetime earnings in 2022. In 30 starts this season, the Ron Burke trainee has secured 13 victories, six seconds and four third-place finishes. The gelding now boast lifetime earnings of more than $308,000. Later Dudes is owned in partnership by his conditioner and Weaver Bruscemi.

Proceeding the Open Pace, awards were presented to both the meet’s leading trainer and driver.

Virgil Morgan Jr. took the title of Leading Trainer for the 28th consecutive year. With 486 starters, Morgan Jr. scored 100 wins and banked more than $1,645,000 in earnings. The Ohio Living Hall of Fame member boasted a 20.4 win percentage.

Brett Miller was named the 2022 Leading Driver. Miller tallied 169 wins, 167 second place finishes, and 144 third place finishes. In 1,149 starts, he earned $2,810,891 in purse monies and maintained .270 UDRS.

Racing will resume in May 2023 at Eldorado Scioto Downs.

(Scioto Downs)