Beach Memories picked a great way to get his first win of the season, winning the $20,000 Open on Saturday night at Scioto Downs in historic fashion.
Driven by Josh Sutton, Beach Memories started from post four in the full field of nine. Sutton pushed the gate away to gain command before they hit the first turn. The first quarter was a fast-paced :26 flat.
Rockin Wizard made a quick move to the front for Ronnie Wrenn Jr. and gave Beach Memories a perfect two-hole trip. The pace was still quick, the half was paced in :53.4. The outer flow started to develop down the backside, taking the field to the three-quarters in 1:21.4.
Rockin Finish carried pocket-sitter Beach Memories into the lane before pulling pocket in the stretch and cruising to a two and a ahalf length victory in 1:49.4 over Rockin Finish, with Ardyne Ace a wide and fast-closing third.
The time of the shaved one-fifth of a second off the mark for a four-year-old pacing gelding, previously held by Rockin Finish.
Beach Memories is a four-year-old gelded son of Somebeachsomewhere out of the Western Ideal mare AllAmerican Memoir. He's trained by Brian Brown for owners, Strollin Stable, Aws Stable, King McNamara and Country Club Acres.
Beach Memories' driver, Josh Sutton, was on a roll on Saturday night at the five-eighths oval as he racked up six wins on the card. This performance comes after a rare accident on the Wednesday night card at Scioto.
Sutton was driving Fashion Fun in the second race when he threw a shoe that ricocheted off the race track and hit him in the face.
Sutton pulled the trotter up, did not finish the race and booked off the rest of his drives. He was taken to Ohio State Hospital where he received 17 stitches. He was off his drives on Thursday, but was back in the action on Friday.
(with files from Scioto Downs Racino)