Sophomore trotting fillies took to the track for the third leg of the Buckeye Stallion Series (BSS) on Thursday (Aug. 25) at Eldorado Scioto Downs. Each of the three divisions competed for $17,500.
La Belle Riviere swept the first division in a lifetime-best 1:55.4. After settling in third along the pylons, the daughter of Triumphant Caviar was flushed out at the half in :58.1. The 7-5 favourite found herself first up through the final turn but hit another gear at the top of the stretch. Purple Aura finished second with Vandys Legacy in third.
Unraced at two, the Chris Beaver trainee has tallied five wins and banked over $53,000 in her sophomore season. La Belle Riviere is owned in partnership by her conditioner as well as Donald Robinson and Steven Zeehandelar. Aaron Merriman drove the winner.
The second division was taken by Sweet On Pete in 1:57.1. Leaving from post 6, Sweet On Pete left the gate conservatively. The Uncle Peter filly followed cover past the opening quarter but found herself three wide on the backside. The 2-5 favourite dug in at the top of the stretch to best Brekkenridge while Moments Created completed the trifecta.
The victory marks the second BSS win for Sweet On Pete in 2022. Trained by Jason McGinnis, the three-year-old filly has scored four wins in 11 starts this season. Sweet On Pete now boasts $109,477 in lifetime earnings for TheStable and Hutchison Harness. Anthony MacDonald drove the winner.
At 1-5, Alana Hill went wire-to-wire in the final division of the night. The daughter of What The Hill posted fractions in :28.2, :57.4 and 1:26.3 before stopping the clock in 1:56. Gracious Triumph held on for second and Kahlua Mudslide was third.
Alana Hill has hit the board 15 times in 21 starts. Virgil Morgan Jr. trains the filly for owners Gc Gold Racing, Walnut View Farm, and John Schlabach. Mitchell Cushing piloted the winner.
Ohio Sires Stakes action for three-year-old trotting fillies will highlight the racing program on Friday (Aug. 26) at Eldorado Scioto Downs. First post is 3:15 p.m. (EDT).
(Scioto Downs)