Post nine was no handicap for Real Touch as she defeated the top female pacers at Scioto Downs in Friday night’s $15,000 Open Pace for fillies and mares.
The three-year-old daughter of Real Desire scored for trainer-driver Ray Paver, who co-owns the filly in partnership with Knox Services Inc. and Slaughter Racing Stable LLC. She was timed in 1:52.3 in the victory, her seventh win in 13 starts this season.
Driver Kayne Kauffman had Tu Sei Bella fastest away from the gate at the start and she passed the timer in :27.1 at the quarter-mile mark. Paver had Real Touch in a stalking position on the outside and Kauffman soon yielded to Paver’s pacer.
The half-mile was timed in a speedy :55 seconds and Real Touch was challenged on the front end by JLs Red Star and driver Kyle Ater. They tried to seize control from Real Touch, but couldn’t keep up with her and faded to finish last. Stacked Deck, a co-favorite with Real Touch, was last for the first half-mile and offered no threat as she ultimately broke stride and finished well back.
The race belonged to Real Touch as the field turned into the stretch, but the fast fractions and challenges began to tell on her a little in the stretch. Tu Sei Bella stayed with her and The Rainmaker rallied from far back. At the wire, however, Real Touch had a three-quarter length margin on The Rainmaker and Randy Tharps. Tu Sei Bella was one and a quarter lengths back in third.
(Scioto Downs)