Defending Scioto Downs driving champ Chris Page entered the Thursday night program with a two-race lead over rival Dan Noble, but that edge had been whittled down to one by the end of the evening
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Noble won the first race of the evening with CL Footloose and then again found the winner’s circle after the sixth race with Forever To The Top, who paid $24.80.
That evened the drivers race as both Page and Noble then had 61 wins during the 2010 meet.
Page gave notice that he was serious about defending his driving title by winning the next race with Summer Smile, who paid $19.40.
Neither driver won again and so Page carries his one-race edge into the Friday and Saturday cards at Scioto.
Intrepid Hall (Cambest) won a maiden event for freshman pacers as he scored by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:58.2 for driver Chip Noble, trainer Joe Paver, and owner James Dunn.
Munster Buster (Mach Three) left fastest of all from his inside post position, but then driver Jack Dailey yielded to Intrepid Hall after 3/8-mile. Noble eased Intrepid Hall to the half-mile marker in 1:00 and to the third station in 1:29.2.
Dailey then came out with Munster Buster to mount a challenge but couldn’t keep pace with Intrepid Hall. Sectionline Barack (Art Major) overcame interference to finish third.
It was Intrepid Hall’s second lifetime start.
(Scioto Downs)