Handsome Prince took the featured Open II Pace at Scioto Downs on Saturday night with a 1:54.4 victory for trainer-driver Kenny Kidd and owner Buckeye Racing LLC of Newark, Ohio
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The four-year-old son of Grinfromeartoear rallied in the stretch to draw clear of Caramel Dumpling, who finished second, and Attack On Magic, who got the show dough.
Kidd kept his pacer well off the fast early fractions of :26 seconds to the quarter set by Chilli NZ, a Kiwi import making his first start in North America. Chilli NZ led past the half-mile marker in :55.2, but then waved the white flag of surrender as the field went past him.
Handsome Prince, who started from the outside Post 8, paid $10.40 to win. It was the second win in eight starts this season for Handsome Prince.
There were two divisions of the third legs of the Falcon Almahurst Series for pacers with the first divisions going to Maybeitwasmemphis 1:56.3. He overtook pacesetting Snooz Attack with a quarter-mile remaining and drew away to win easily for Jeff Dailey, who drove him for owner-trainer Larry Roberts. Snooz Attack held for second over Bonos Jackson. Maybeitwasmemphis paid $15.60 to win.
In the second division of the Falcon Almahurst, the even-money favourite Zipsnapndrop scored for Dan Noble in 1:56.3 over Swing To The Top and Blue Rock Joe. It was his sixth win in 22 starts this season. He paid an even $4.00 to win.
(Scioto Downs)