Allamerican Union proved that he’s certainly not over the hill when he easily beat nine rivals in the featured $3,000 Over The Hill Gang Pace at Scioto Downs on Saturday night
. The race was limited to pacers age seven and older.
The 3-2 favourite was Dave Panlone, a winner of over $700,000 that has returned to the races as a gelding after standing stud for several seasons. When the seasoned pacers left the starting gate, Dave Panlone broke stride. That allowed driver Chris Page to shoot Allamerican Union to the front at the quarter in :28.
Coming to call on the outside was Chip Noble with Jates Boy, who took command past the quarter-mile mark. It was a give-and-go as Page moved Allamerican Union was right back out in a quest for command.
Allamerican Union passed the half-mile marker in :57.1 and rebuffed a challenge from Grudge Match during the third quarter. Then Page loosened the lines on the eight-year-old stallion and he opened daylight on his pursuers.
Allamerican Union was five lengths in front as he entered the stretch and eased to the wire in 1:54.4 to win by three and a half lengths. Big Als Delight, who went off at 25-1, rallied to claim second place over Jates Boy. Dave Panlone never recovered from his early break and finished last, well behind the field.
The win was the second in five starts this season for Allamerican Union, who is trained by Jeff Stover for owner Noah Stover of Delaware, Ohio. The winner paid $11.00, $5.80, and $4.20. Allamerican Union is by Artsplace out of the Presidential Ball mare Unaccountable. He was making the 108th start of his career.
For Page, a former Scioto driving champion, Allamerican Union was one of four consecutive winners on the Saturday night card.
(With files from Scioto Downs)