In Theory upset the best Open pacers at Scioto Downs for driver Randy Tharps on Saturday night with a 1:52.1 mile, triggering a $18.20 win payoff.
He defeated Carols Comet and Mcstraight for trainer Lynda Brewer.
Mcstraight was fastest away from the gate, but past the quarater-mile mark he yielded to heavily favoured Trick Man. Meanwhile, Tharps had In Theory well off the pace in sixth-place in the seven-horse field. When Carols Comet went after the pacesetter, Tharps put In Theory right behind him and drafted into the stretch. In the drive for the wire, Trick Man weakened and gave way to Carols Comet, but In Theory had the most pace of all and won by a head. Trick Man faded to fourth. Rocking Meadows Stable of Indiana owns the winner.
Favourite Cmon Blaze won the Open II Pace at Scioto for trainer-driver Ray Paver with an impressive 1:52.3 win over Jokin Man and Blueridge Dancer. The five-year-old gelding moved to the front during the third quarter and then simply drew away from his pursuers to win by five and three-quarter lengths. Jerry Sommers and John Rhoads Jr. own Cmon Blaze.
Open trotters did battle later in the evening and J J Hall, the 2011 Ohio Horse of the Year, was a 1:56 winner for Paver, trainer Scott Mogan, and owner Doug Millard of Ontario. He defeated Action SJ and Brother Gus. Sent off at 5-2 by the bettors, J J Hall led most of the way to win by a half-length.
(Scioto Downs)