Two-year-old filly trotters duked it out to a dead heat finish in the Buckeye Stallion Series at Eldorado Scioto Downs on Thursday (July 27). The second of four divisions also proved to be the fastest, with Pierres Serenade (David Myers) and Madame Pele (Tyler Smith) sharing the winner’s circle after stopping the timer in 1:58.

Both fillies left out of the gate and neither wanted to give up the lead. But starting from the four-hole, Pierres Serenade parked Madame Pele through the first half of the opening turn until she was finally able to clear to the front. Immediately, Myers angled Pierres Serenade out of the pocket at the :28.3 opening quarter. The duo stayed on top through the :59.1 half. Rememberwhatusaid (Tony Hall) went first up to challenge the leader coming out of the second turn but Pierres Serenade was still on top at the 1:27.3 third quarter. Smith came up the passing lane with Madame Pele, but in the end the two fillies crossed the line together. Both Esteso (Austin Hanners) and Butter N Syrup (Chris Page) were charging hard late in the stretch to finish third and fourth, respectively.

With four wins in five starts, Pierres Serenade has $26,051 earned for owner-trainer Ted Gawron. The Uncle Peter filly has two wins in Buckeye Stallion Series action. Madame Pele, by Creatine, is owned and trained by Jessica Smith. Thursday’s win broke her maiden in her fifth start. Pierres Serenade went off at 9-2 and paid $6 to win, while Madame Pele went off at 10-1 and paid $10.40 to win.

The first $20,000 division was won by Elisdreamgirl (Jeremy Smith) in 2:01.1 for owner Levi Hershberger and trainer Herman Hagerman. It was the first win for the Global Republic S filly in her third lifetime start.

The third division was won by Hot Tea (Tyler Smith) in 1:58.4. Virgil Morgan, Jr. trains the Enterprise filly, who also broke her maiden in Thursday’s racing action, for owner/breeder Joyce McClelland. 

Justasiam As took the final division in 1:59.1. Tony Hall drove the Lionhunter filly for trainer Anette Lorentzon and owner ACL Stuteri Ab. It was the filly’s second win in the Buckeye Stallion Series and she now has $20,000 in earnings in three lifetime starts.

Live harness racing will continue on Friday and Saturday evening at Eldorado Scioto Downs, with first post at 5:50 p.m. Saturday evening features the $100,000 #SendItIn and Cleopatra Invitationals for older pacers.

(Scioto Downs)