Millionaire trotting mare Refined tackled the boys in the $36,986 Open Trot at Eldorado Scioto Downs on Friday, Aug. 23, winning in 1:52.1 for the evening's red-hot combo of driver Dan Noble and trainer Virgil Morgan Jr.
The eight-year-old Uncle Peter mare now has five wins and five seconds in 15 seasonal starts, nine of which have been at Scioto. Having only been off the board twice at the south Columbus, Ohio oval this year, she has secured a spot at the top of the trotting class.
Friday’s win was a near gate-to-wire victory from post six with regular pilot Dan Noble in the bike. Three-wide through much of the first turn, Refined was still parked but in front by the :27.2 opening quarter. She continued to lead the field through fractions of :56.4 and 1:24.4 en route to the two-length triumph. Oh Look Magic (Eric Goodell) sat in the pocket to finish second, with Adamsville Road (Kayne Kauffman) following in third.
Refined is trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. for owners Joyce McClelland and Larry Wills. With 128 starts under her belt, she has now earned 42 victories.
Refined was one of five winners from the Morgan stable on the 16-race card. The other Morgan trainees making winner's circle appearances were Trick Of The Light, Baroness Hill, Rodeo Hill and Prosecco Princess, all driven by Noble, who ended the night with a total of seven victories.
Settling for second in the top trot, Goodell came back to win the co-featured $35,616 Fillies & Mares Open Pace two races later with My Red Sea in 1:50.1.
Leaving from post five, My Red Sea landed in second as the field went towards the :27.1 opening quarter with Morgan trainee Alexa Skye and Noble leading the way. Pulling mid-way through the turn, My Red Sea settled on top well before the :56.1 half and continued to lead to three-quarters in 1:23.4 before sprinting home in :26.2 for the 1-1/2-length victory. This time it was Noble with Alexa Skye who finished second while Trevor Smith got Racing For Three up for third.
My Red Sea is trained by Jason Irwin for Jennifer Bongiorno Stable and Robert Weinstein. The four-year-old mare by Downbytheseaside has nine victories from 19 seasonal starts and has won 13 races lifetime with nearly $280,000 in earnings.
(With files from Scioto Downs)