The Ohio Breeders Stakes continued with the three-year-olds in the spotlight while another track record performance highlighted the card on Saturday night at Scioto Downs.
Rompaway Galaxy prevailed in the $22,800 Ohio Breeders Stakes with a new lifetime best effort in 1:55.3.
Rompaway Galaxy is a gelded son of Rompaway Wally out of Rompaway Wynona. He's conditioned by Krista Harmon for owner and breeder Rompaway Farms.
Driver Mike Micallef had the assignment starting from post three in the field of eight. Micallef was in no hurry, getting away an early sixth. The opening quarter was trotted in :28 and he was nine lengths off the lead of pacesetter Bradymeister. The pair was underway before they hit the half that was trotted in :57.2. Rompaway Galaxy was sitting third in the cover flow and just waiting for his time to go. His time came when they hit the top of the stretch and Micallef tipped three-wide to trot home for the two and a quarter length victory. Master Mighty was second and Cantcutthatchip held on for third.
Paydaze On The Way pulled off the upset in her stakes division with a new lifetime-best victory in 1:54.3.
Paydaze On The Way is a three-year-old daughter of Look Sharp out of Shantytown Girl. She's conditioned by North America's leading trainer Ron Burke for Howard Taylor, Ed Gold, Richard Lombardo and Karen Rose.
Top driver Aaron Merriman picked up the drive and started from post one in the field of six. When the gates folded, Merriman was in no hurry and found himself a fifth spot seat. The pair was content to sit at the rail after the half was paced in :56.3. Still sitting fourth, but only two lengths off at the top of stretch, Merriman found the space to race in the super stretch. The filly closed quickly to beat Crown Time Keeper by a head and Shakin Friskie was a game third.
Friskie Adam remains perfect after taking his $23,100 Ohio Breeders Stakes in 1:53.
Friskie Adam is the son of Feelin Friskie and Lottery Fever. He's trained by Dan Ater for the Dr. Jerry Maloon Stable.
Kyle Ater had the lines and started from post five in the field of nine. Ater pushed the gate away to gain control before the quarter that was paced in :27.4 and Big Bossman landed right behind him. After catching a :30.3 second quarter breather, there was never an anxious moment. Big Bossman made an unfortunate mistake at the half and gave Friskie Adam a padded three-length lead. The colt quickly paced away from his competition and won by five lengths over UF Fast Feelin and his stablemate, Friskie AJ, was a closing third.
Sandys Victory dominated her $22,700 Breeders Stakes in a career-best 1:55.4.
Sandys Victory is the daughter of Victory Sam out of Amessageforsandy. She's trained by Larry Tinch, who partially owns with John Reames.
Josh Sutton had the lines and started from post four in the field of nine. When the starter said go, Sutton was content to take back and let the dust settle before making his move. Anniesbluejeanbaby was on a mission and clocked the opening quarter in :27.2 and passed the half in :57. In The Grippers set out on her first over bid and pushed the pace down to three-quarters in 1:26. A well-played game plan paid dividends to her connections when Sandys Victory made her backside brush and trotted clear of her foes by six and a half lengths. Turbochargedroxie was a closing second and Hollys GG completed the trifecta.
Easy Again set a new track record for aged horses of 1:50.2 in the $25,000 Open Pace. The previous record of 1:50.4 was held by Hoosier Favorite and Foreclosure N.
Easy Again is ridgling son of Dragon Again out of Kuklapanandollie. Ron Burke trains for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, M1 Stable and Panhellenic Stable.
Chris Page had the lines and started from post four in the field of six. Easy Again was making his first start after a two month lay off, but that didn't deter Page from going out for command. They set the fractions of :27, :55.2 and 1:22.3. Easy Again paced to a one and three-quarter length victory over Ardyne Ace while Lucky Lime had a late kick to be third.
(With files from Scioto Downs)