The Jerry Knappenberger Series headlined Eldorado Scioto Downs’ opening night card on Thursday, May 8.
Ryan Miller doubled on Thursday night, taking two of the five $18,056 divisions of the series for non-winners of one colt pacers, thanks to Garoppolo and Spiritshappyending.
Garoppolo (Jeremy Smith) took the fastest division in 1:52.2. The Bit Of A Legend N - Prettygirl Hanover gelding dropped in fourth from post seven and pulled partway down the backstretch to swoop by the leaders. Fond Of Dancin (Brett Miller) put on the pressure coming down the stretch, but Garoppolo held him off to win by three-quarters of a length. Garoppolo, owned by Miller Racing Stable, Mazing Racing Stable and Melinda Hayes, now has a win and two seconds in four starts this season.
Spiritshappyending and Tyler Smith took the fourth division, leading gate to wire, in 1:53. Odds On Odin (Luke Hanners) made a bid down the stretch but could not catch the leader who won under a hand drive by three lengths. The Downbytheseaside - Icommandmyspirit gelding is owned by Country Club Acres, Miller Racing Stable and Lynn Miller
Makin Moonshine took the first division of the Knappenberger for driver Dan Noble in 1:53.1. Leaving from post five, the Deborah Swartz trainee was parked to the :27 opening quarter and got the two-hole trip behind Down Two Party (Brett Miller). Noble pulled Makin Moonshine at the three-quarter pole and down the stretch held off Cruising Zone (Chris Page) who came up the passing lane. Makin Moonshine (Dancin Yankee - Luna Hanover) is owned by Bradley Delaney and now has $26,439 earned in 14 lifetime starts.
Ohohoh Im On Fire (Austin Hanners) led gate to wire in the third division, hitting the finish a length and a half over South Sea (Miller) in 1:53.2. The colt by Catch The Fire - Perfect Artist is trained by Todd Luther for Greg Luther Racing LLC. Ohohoh Im On Fire did not start as a two-year-old but started racing in March and has now hit the board in four of his five lifetime starts, earning $21,746.
The last division of the Knappenberger went in 1:54.2 with Real Thriller taking the finale by three-quarters of a length. Trevor Smith got away sixth and came three-wide just after the three-quarter pole to take over the lead. The Western Terror colt was the second winner of the night for trainer Scott Mogan and owner/breeder Richard Noel. In the first race of the evening Real Thriller’s four-year-old half-sister by Nob Hill High, Real Star, won in 1:51.4. Their dam, Real Joy, had a third foal in Thursday evening with Real Storm, a five-year-old by Western Terror, finishing third.
Racing continues Friday, May 9 with another 16-race card, including the $25,000 USD Open Trot and Filly & Mare Open Pace.
(with files from Scioto)