Buckeye Stallion Series (BSS) action continued with the third leg for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Wednesday (Aug 24) at Eldorado Scioto Downs. Four divisions hosted 38 freshmen completing for a total of $70,000.
In the fastest and final division of the night, Monaco Hanover broke his maiden in 1:53.1. The son of Well Said made his move as soon as the dust settled. Hitting another gear, 7-1 Monaco Hanover blew past the field and opened up by lengths. Downbythecreekside surged down the stretch for second while The Mandalorian finished third.
Trained by Tyler Bates, Monaco Hanover has earned over $20,000 in seven seasonal starts for owner Michael Foster. Aaron Merriman drove the winner.
The first $17,500 BSS division went to Shield The Rock in a lifetime mark of 1:54.3. The Yankee Cruiser gelding easily cleared the front after pulling three-wide into the final turn. Despite going off at 9-1, Shield The Rock bested TT Jericho with Barley Mischievous finishing third.
In nine starts this season, the Dustin Pfeifer trainee has hit the board seven times. With four wins under his belt, Shield The Rock has earned $24,491 for owner Paul Pfeifer. Josh Sutton steered the winner.
Hes Half Naked made it five in a row, taking the second division in 1:53.4 in rein to Aaron Merriman. Leaving from post 5, Hes Half Naked was shuffled to the back of the pack. The gelded son of Western Vintage made a last-ditch effort on the backside and found himself five-wide through the final turn. The freshman dug in until the last stride to stop the clock in a lifetime best. Flyin Fitz was second while Tan Man completed the trifecta.
The win marks the second BSS leg victory for Hes Half Naked. The gelding has bankrolled upwards of $22,000 in six lifetime starts. Mike Polhamus conditions for Golden Goose Stables and Matt Rowe.
Koa scored his first win in the next division. Unphased by the second-tier start in post 10, the Downbytheseaside colt driven by Aaron Merriman settled in fourth on the pylons. Koa found cover behind Trooper L headed to the half. With a final surge in the stretch, the 11-1 Koa cruised across the wire in 1:54. Tropper L held on for second with Special Dragon rallying for third.
Koa has tallied one win, three second-place finishes and one third-place finish in five starts. Merv Chupp trains the homebred for Chupp Racing Stable.
Three Buckeye Stallion Series divisions for three-year-old trotting fillies will highlight the racing program on Thursday (Aug. 25) at Eldorado Scioto Downs.
(Scioto Downs)