Scioto Downs' General Manager of Racing Operations, Stacy Cahill, was joined by drivers Aaron Merriman, Kayne Kauffman, Zach Mogan, Tyler Smith and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. to complete the Ice Bucket Challenge after being summoned by Friday night's supporters of ALS.
Scioto drivers Josh Sutton, Shawn Barker II, Nick Turley, Randy Tharps and Jason Merriman completed the Ice Bucket Challenge first on Friday before extending the challenge to their fellow reinsmen.
Saturday's Ice Bucket Challenge was carried out prior to first race post time. The group made donations and challenged drivers and executives at Northfield Park.
The Ice Bucket Challenge, which has grown in popularity on social media, began to raise awareness and donations for ALS research.
The excitement carried over into the 13-race program on tap. On track, Ontario-sired Ardyne Ace and Tharps grinded out a win in the $25,000 Open Pace in 1:50.4.
Ardyne Ace is an eight-year-old gelded son of Aces N Sevens. He's trained by Jim Pollock Jr. for David Ehrenberg II and Daniel Fawcett of Ohio.
Ardyne Ace started from assigned post five in the scratched down field of eight. Tharps was content to take off the gate and race from off the pace when a slew of leavers left hard for command.
Santa Fe Beachboy and Josh Sutton landed on the front after the opening quarter that was paced in :26.4. The Indiana invader, Paco Labrook, and driver Brad Hanners got the pocket ride behind the betting second choice.
Before the half that was paced in :54.2, Ardyne Ace and Tharps were underway in their first over bid. They pressed the pace down the backside and hit three-quarters in 1:22.2.
Even after the :27.3 parked third quarter, Ardyne Ace was far from tired. He have a game effort to win by one length over a late-charging Lucky Lime and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. Js Six Pak Attack and Dan Noble completed the trifecta. A mere five lengths covered the entire field of talented pacers.
(With files from Scioto Downs / Photo courtesy Scioto Downs)