The sophomore trotting filly Bingo Queen trotted to an easy 1:57.2 win at Scioto Downs on Thursday night with Dan Noble, the leading driver in North America last year, in the sulky
. Bingo Queen was one of four winning drives for Noble on Thursday night.
The daughter of CR Excalibur paid a whopping $29.00, $15.20, and $7.80 in winning the first time in three starts this season. She is owned and trained by Patrick Spryn of Delaware, Ohio.
Noble left quickly with Bingo Queen from post eight, but wound up parked fourth at the quarter as EZ Go Lavec and DJs John Boy fought for the lead in the first quarter. Then Noble stepped his trotting filly to the front, reaching the half-mile marker in 1:00.
Driver Chris Page was on the move with the 3-2 favourite Rose Run Molly in the third quarter, but Noble confidently kept his filly in front and rebuffed the challenge from the favourite. Her final half-mile in :57.2 left Bingo Queen all alone at the wire, more than three lengths ahead of EZ Go Lavec. DJ John Boy held for third place.
In winning, Bingo Queen lowered her mark more than five seconds from last year. At the end of July, 2011, she won in 2:02.3 at Northfield, also with Dan Noble in the bike.
Bingo Queen was bred by Winbak Farm and sold as a yearling for $700 at the Blooded Horse Sale in Delaware.
Excitement abounds at Scioto as the track’s racino completes its first full week of operation. The VLT facility was crowded with customers on Thursday night and the energy level was high as they enjoyed trying their luck at Ohio’s first racino. Horsemen have been universal in their praise for the amenities.
“This place is the real deal,” said one Standardbred owner as he looked around the facility. “It’s beautiful. And it’s just going to get better.”
Scioto resumes racing on Friday evening at 6:30 and then will have a special post time of 5:30 on Saturday to include betting on the Belmont Stake.
(Scioto Downs)