A large crowd blanketed the apron for the activities and exciting race card on hand for Scioto Downs' Back To The Track event.
Carols Comet and Aaron Merriman prevailed in the Saturday night feature in 1:50.3. The John Pawlak $25,000 Open Pace was race seven on the 11-race card.
John Pawlak is an Ohio native recently inducted in to the Harness Racing Hall Of Fame. He has worked at the USTA for many years in the communications department and has also been a track announcer. Scioto Downs held the race in his honour for his outstanding achievements and attributes to harness racing.
Carols Comet is a five-year-old gelding by Yankee Cruiser out of the mare, Modern Medicine. He's conditioned by Ron Potter for the connections Whiskey Tango Stable, Martin Presser, Bill and Matthew Moore.
He started from post eight in the field of nine, but that didn't stop Merriman from leaving for an up close spot. The pair found a nice spot, right on the front end and paced an opening quarter in :26.1.
They had early company from Randy Tharps and Ardyne Ace, who cleared before the half in a quick :53.3.
The pace didn't slow down much. A parked and pressing Thatll Be The Rei applied the pressure to the three-quarters and left Carols Comet in a perfect pocket spot, again. The battling duo paced to the three-quarters in 1:21.3 and Merriman waited patiently for the super stretch.
Carols Comet sprinted up the stretch when given his command and just caught Ardyne Ace by a nose. A late rally from Special Forces and Greg Grismore rounded out the trifecta. Only three and a half lengths covered the entire field.
(With files from Scioto Downs)