Dan Noble was convinced that Docs Yankee was the best in the Open Pace at Scioto Downs on Saturday and drove him that way
. The four-year-old led all the way, then sprinted off to a six length win in 1:52.3.
Docs Yankee started from Post 1 and had to fend off challenges from Gordie How and Dan With Dance in the first quarter. The pacers were three-wide around the first turn, resulting in a :26.4 opening panel.
Dan With Dance found a seat along the inside briefly, but Gordie How had no such luck. He remained parked out and later faded to finish out of the money.
Dance With Dan rebounded to mount another challenge entering the final quarter, but Dan Noble was ready as he fired up Docs Yankee. The gelding effortlessly pulled away to win by six lengths. The 30-1 shot Eagle Jacob edged the 15-1 Jates Boy for second.
Docs Yankee, a finalist in last year’s Little Brown Jug, was recently sold to Gerald Denney and is now trained by Virgil Morgan, Jr. He was unimpressive in his earlier starts this year, but was put on Lasix and was dominant against Scioto’s best.
Scioto welcomes four Ohio Sires Stakes for sophomore fillies on Sunday afternoon with a 1 p.m. post time.
(Scioto Downs)