Three freshman pacing colts made it two-for-two after winning their respective $17,500 second-round divisions of the Buckeye Stallion Series on Thursday (July 29) at Eldorado Scioto Downs.
After the dust cleared, Dirge, Moved Bythe Spirit and Western Ready all found the winner’s circle for the second time in the series.
Dirge (McArdle), driven by Cameron McCown for trainer Brian Brown, stopped the timer at 1:53.1 after being hung to the quarter and then going on to win by a length.
The other speedy mile was turned in by Western Ready (Western Vintage), with Aaron Merriman aboard for Scott Ferguson in 1:53.1. The gelding got away fourth, but powered up at the half to take command and draw away by 6-1/4 lengths.
Moved Bythe Spirit (Western Vintage) sustained a first-up grind fifth and battled to win by two lengths. Jeremy Smith drove the gelding for trainer Timothy Lane.
Trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. scored with Fear No More (Fear The Dragon) in 1:54.4. The colt trailed the field of eight and moved with cover to score by a neck in line to driver Mitchell Cushing.
The final winner of the night was Robins Art (Art Official), who is owned and trained by Kent Saunders. The gelding, driven by Roy Wilson, was hung a good part of the mile, but got up to win by a head.
(with files from the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)