Catch The Fire fillies took two of the five $27,027 divisions of Buckeye Stallion Series action on Friday, June 20 at Eldorado Scioto Downs.
Prolific Fire took the first race, first division of the evening's 16-race card in hot fashion – coming three-wide from last at the three-quarter pole to win in 1:51.2. Austin Hanners eased Prolific Fire off the gate from post eight and sat chilly until the last quarter when she made her move going into the last turn. Midway through the last turn, Prolific Fire was four-wide and used the momentum to slingshot to the lead and win by a half length over Trunk Bay Hanover (Brett Miller) with Angel In Paradise (Justin Irvine) third. Prolific Fire was a $20,000 Ohio Selected Yearling Sale purchase, who has now made more than $200,000 lifetime in 15 starts. Todd Luther trains the three-time winning filly for Greg Luther Racing.
The other Catch The Fire winning filly was Survivin Fire, driven by Dan Noble for trainer Mike Hitchcock. Survivin Fire got the perfect two-hole trip and came up the inside to win in 1:52.1 by a half length over Odds On Collateral (Peter Wrenn) with Seaside Lover (Chris Page) third. Owned by William Hartt, Survivin Fire was a $24,000 purchase at the Buckeye Classic Yearling Sale and has earnings approaching $80,000 with seven wins in 18 lifetime starts.
Two other divisions went a speedy 1:51.2, with Bubblles Out (Page) and Romeos Juliet (Miller), both homebreds, winning their respective races.
Bubblles Out got parked leaving from post six, settled in third mid-way through the first turn and made a move to the front before the half. Leading the rest of the mile, Bubblles Out won by a length and three-quarters over a fast-closing Lorna Dune (Miller) and Sea Her Rule (Trevor Smith). The Trish Foulk trainee did not start at two, but in nine starts so far this season, Bubblles Out won six times. Foulk Stables owns and bred the Downbytheseaside filly.
Romeos Juliet, by Rodeo Romeo, took the third division by a half-length over Maddies Delite (Aaron Merriman) and Seaside Wishes (Kayne Kauffman). Leaving from post five to get away fourth, Romeos Juliet went first-up at the half and powered her way on the outside to win. Steve Bauder trains Rodeos Juliet, owned and bred by Oompa’s Farm and Robert Mondillo, who now has two wins in 12 lifetime starts.
The last division went to Judge Me Again, who won by two lengths in 1:51.3. Smith eased the Western Vintage filly off the gate from post two to settle in fifth. Sitting in until the top of the stretch, Judge Me Again found room late to come up the passing lane and get the victory for trainer Chris Beaver, who co-owns the filly with Jim Burnett, Leo Fleming and Tim Homan. A $24,000 purchase at the Buckeye Classic sale, Judge Me Again has two wins in 16 lifetime starts.
Racing continues Saturday at Scioto with another 16-race card, starting at 5:45 p.m. The feature race of the evening is the 11th race, an Open Pace.
(With files from Scioto Downs; photo of Prolific Fire winning on June 20)