Trainer Micah Miller's first career victory on Thursday, June 18 at Eldorado Scioto Downs came with another major career moment — a first stakes win.
The Scioto bettors made his filly, Charlotte Elise, the 43-1 longest shot on the board, but she closer resembled an odds-on favourite as she raced uncovered throughout the back half and drove clear to a 1-3/4-length victory in the second $104,167 division of the Ohio Sires Stakes third leg for three-year-old trotting fillies.
Tyler Smith got her away fifth as Speedbewithyou (Austin Hanners) reached the front nearing the quarter in :28.4. Setyoursightshigh (Mike Wilder) made the top shortly thereafter and led the field to the :57.3 half as Charlotte Elise came first-up going into the second turn. Charlotte Elise grinded forward through three-quarters in 1:26.4, pulling even with the leader past that point and battling nose-to-nose with her around the last turn. The longshot filly struck the front as they straightened for home and drew away to a 1:55.2 victory. Setyoursightshigh held second over Guardian Doll (Ronnie Gillespie).
Charlotte Elise won in her first start for Miller, boosting her record to two-for-12 lifetime. The daughter of Long Tom-Heres Jolene is owned by Wayne Mast Jr., Callam Racing LLC, Jeremy Miller and Joseph Mast. She lined the pockets of her backers to the tune of $88 for a $2 bet.
Miller's first training win came in his second start after Two By Four finished third in the trainer's debut on June 16. The Dalton, Ohio resident has a record of 2-1-0-1 for a UTR of .667.
Another longshot daughter of Long Tom won the other OHSS split as Mooter Tooter blew by rivals in the final quarter to prevail at 27-1. Joyofmylife A (Tony Hall) came away with the lead in a :27.4 first quarter but soon yielded to Rose Run Brooke (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.). Faster Horses (Jeremy Smith) put on the pressure from post nine and took over going into the second turn towards the :56.1 half. Mooter Tooter, sitting fifth, flushed out the cover of Seven Lick Range (Tyler Smith) as the field went down the backside towards the 1:25.2 three-quarters. Tipping three-wide off the last turn, Mooter Tooter rocketed clear in the stretch to win by 2-3/4 lengths over Seven Lick Range in 1:54.2. Rose Run Brooke was third.
Ron Burke trains the winning filly out of Moots. Owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Knox Services Inc., Beasty LLC and RAS Racing LLC, Mooter Tooter is now three-for-15 lifetime with $99,880 in earnings. She went off at 27-1 and paid $56.40 to win.
Trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. furthered his campaign for a 32nd straight title at Scioto with four victories on the 15-race card. His victorious trainees were Jet Wings ($3.40), Tsunami Seas ($2.10), Phantom Hill ($3.80) and Starblazer ($2.60). The conditioner has stifled any opposition in the trainers' race by racking up 59 wins so far this meet, putting him 33 victories clear of second-placed Ron Burke.
Racing continues at Scioto Downs on Friday with an 11-race card and Saturday with 12 races.
(With files from Scioto Downs)