A trio of Meadows invaders took the first series final for Buckeye Stallion Series eligibles on Friday (May 27) at Eldorado Scioto Downs.
Allnight Micki, with Aaron Merriman driving for trainer Tim Twaddle, won the $30,000 Falcon Almahurst final by six lengths in 1:52.
Saddled with the eight-hole in all three Falcon Almahust starts, the filly by Downbytheseaside out of the Dragon Again mare Allamerican Coed, had to overcome a lot of adversity leading up to the final. In the first leg, she was on top and poised to win when a broken hopple in the last turn caused driver Tyler Smith to pull her up and not finish the race. In the second leg, she made a break at the start and rallied to finish third. In the final, Merriman took her straight to the top, briefly let Love Me Hill (Brett Miller) take over and quickly re-took; they never looked back to win by six lengths.
Race favourite Fantasy Life (Chris Page) finished second with Mrs Teachey (Tony Hall) third. Allnight Micki paid $16.80 to win.
Allnight Micki is owned by Twaddle and Micki Rae Stables LLC. After winning one in 10 starts as a two-year-old, the three-year-old now has three wins in seven starts and more than $35,000 made in 2022.
The Falcon Almahurst was the first series final for three-year-old Ohio-breds who are eligible to the Buckeye Stallion Series and did not start in the first leg of the Ohio Sires Stakes. The finals for the Overcomer (trotting colts) and Full Count (trotting fillies) will be on Monday (May 30). Due to bad weather for the second leg of the Nobleland Sam, which caused one division to be re-scheduled, the final is slated for Saturday, June 4.
Post time for each live racing day at Scioto Downs is 3:15 p.m. There will be a special Memorial Day card this Monday, May 30 with no racing on Tuesday. The regular schedule picks up to finish out the week Wednesday-Saturday.
(With files from Scioto Downs)