Even-money favourite Idol led all the way to win the featured $15,000 Open Pace for females at Scioto Downs on Friday, but her margin at the wire was just a nose.
Tu Sei Bella sat on the pacesetter’s back the entire mile and gave her a real scare in the stretch as the two mares hit the wire in 1:54.4 on a windy and chilly summer evening.
Idol, a daughter of Sharky Spur, is trained by Jim Pollock Jr. for breeder-owner Stephan Richard of Massachusetts. The win was the fifth in 14 starts this season for Idol, who pushed her career earnings to $288,285.
When driver Kyle Ater sent Idol to the lead early in the race, Idol was so intimidating that no one challenged her and Ater was able to nurse her through moderate fractions. Driver Kayne Kauffman was content to sit behind the leader and wait for his chance. Late For Work, a 19-1 longshot, was the first to make a challenge as she roared up on the outside, but she wasn’t able to sustain her move. As she faded, Caribean Cruise, who has held third place most of the mile, was able to secure the third-place cheque.
It was role reversal in the Open II for pacing fillies and mares as Kayne Kauffman and Miss Two Punch nosed out Jls Red Star and Kyle Ater in 1:54.1.
The win was the first in 10 starts this season for Miss Two Punch, a daughter of Allamerican Ingot.
Both mares were well off the torrid pace set by Lavish Liz, but Miss Two Punch grabbed the lead entering the stretch and held off the late surge of Jls Red Star to win in a photo. Lavish Liz held for third.
Miss Two Punch paid $27.20. She is trained by Deborah Stamper for owners Kathleen Doubrava-Root and Tracy Root.
(With files from Scioto Downs)