Freshman colt pacers will kick off the first leg in the Buckeye Stallion Series for two-year-olds on Friday night, July 12 at Eldorado Scioto Downs. A total of $140,000 USD in purses will be on the line as each of the seven divisions will carry a purse of $20,000 USD.
The 70 two-year-olds represent 19 stallions. Sixteen sons of Downbytheseaside will race, while 13 sired by Fear The Dragon and six Catch The Fire offspring will go behind the gate.
Trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. will send five freshmen colt pacers to the track. A total of 46 trainers have horses entered.
In the first division, Mr Mcdragon recently placed fifth in the $205,479 Next Generation and is the 5-2 favourite. Steve Carter trains the Fear The Dragon colt.
Alexandra Goldin trainee Fortunesfool is the 5-2 favourite in the second division. The Rodeo Romeo colt was fifth in the Kindergarten Series at the Meadowlands on July 5.
Another son of Rodeo Romeo, Rodeo Jet, is the 5-2 favourite in the third division. The gelding is coming off a win at MGM Northfield Park in 1:58.1. Rodeo Jet is trained by Angus Lake.
Twin B High Tide will try to remain perfect in the fourth division. This will be the second lifetime start for the son of Downbytheseaside. He is the 9-5 favourite under trainer Alicia Hanners.
Steve Novak will send Believe In Tom, a son of prominent Ohio trotting stallion Long Tom, to the gate in the fifth division. Believe In Tom clocked a qualifying time in 1:53.2 and sits as the third choice in the morning line. Christi Noble trains the 3-1 favourite, Vander Built Beach. The gelding is sired by Downbytheseaside.
Sky Dog is the 5-2 favourite in the sixth division. Steve Owens trains the gelded son of Well Said. Lord Bridgerton is the only starter in the 10-horse field with a win under his belt. The Panderosa gelding is trained by Brian Georges.
In the seventh division, De Dragon will look for his second win in four starts. The Fear The Dragon gelding finished third in the Next Generation. Morgan Jr. trains the 2-1 favourite.
First race post time at Scioto Downs is 5:45 p.m.
Buckeye Stallion Series action will continue on Monday, July 15 at Northfield Park when the two-year-old filly pacers take to the track.
(Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)