Ready Russell and Dan Noble broke their own Eldorado Scioto Downs track record for two-year-old trotting geldings, winning in 1:54 on Monday, Sept. 1 during Ohio Sires Stakes action.
Getting away third from post seven, Ready Russell (pictured above) watched as Bitcoin King (Tyler Smith) took the field through the opening half with splits of 27.3 and 56.2. Just before the half Noble tipped Ready Russell to the outside and the pair made the front as the field got close to the 1:24.3 third quarter. Cruising down the stretch Ready Russell won by four lengths over Eleven Bang Bang (Trevor Smith) who got up for second, with Bitcoin King finishing third.
Ready Russell, by Ready For Moni out of the Cantab Hall mare Fortheloveoflindy, set the two-year-old gelding trot track record (1:54.3) just last week on Aug. 23. Trained by Deborah Swartz for Jeff Fought Racing, Brian Carsey and David Fought, Ready Russell now has six wins in seven starts and $194,039 in earnings. Bred by Midland Acres, Ready Russell was a $50,000 Ohio Selected Yearling Sale purchase.
In the other $89,041 division for colts, Big Ranger stayed perfect in his young career, winning in 1:54.2. Ronnie Gillespie had the Next Generation winner sitting third while watching Where Theres Smoke (Sam Widger) set fractions of 27, 56.1 and 1:24.3. Tipping out down the backside and going three-wide momentarily going into the last turn, Big Ranger got by in the final strides to win by a three-quarters of a length. Where Theres Smoke was second, with Rose Run Banker (Chris Page) getting up for third.
Big Ranger, by In Range out of the Tactical Landing mare Big Blue Bird, was a $33,784 Ohio Selected Yearling Sale purchase from breeding Spring Haven Farm. Owned by Madison Global, Big Ranger is trained and driven by Gillespie and the duo now have five wins in as many starts and $253,197 in earnings.
Setyoursightshigh and Dexter Dunn took the fastest $68,493 filly spit in 1:54.2. Getting away third just like the boys, Setyoursightshigh pulled going down the stretch after the 27.3 quarter. The pair made the top, putting Lucky Lady Volo (Noble) in the pocket by the 56.3 half. After the 1:25.4 third quarter, Setyoursightshigh pulled away under a hand drive to win by 7-1/2 lengths. Charlies Moni (Chris Lems) got up for second with Tom’s Babe (Jeremy Smith) finishing third.
Setyoursightshigh, by In Range out of the Cantab Hall mare Special Interest, was a $67,568 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale purchase from breeder Kentuckiana Farm. Owned by Heights Stable, Mantorp, AMG Stable and K Kjellgren Livs AB. The Next Generation winner now has six wins in seven starts and $362,102 in earnings.
The other two filly winners won gate-to-wire. Speedbewithyou and Austin Hanners took the first division in 1:55.1. Setting fractions of 27.4, 57.3 and 1:26.1, Speedbewithyou won by a three-quarters of a length over Rose Run Brooke (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.) who came three-wide around the last turn; pocket sitter Range The Wish (Aaron Merriman) was third.
A homebred for David Wills, and co-owned by Greg Luther Racing, Speedbewithyou is by Mission Accepted out of the Father Patrick mare Instinct. Trained by Todd Luther, the filly now has four wins in seven starts and $187,129 in earnings.
Demonic Niko (Dan Noble) won the second division in 1:55. Setting fractions of 27.3, 56.2 and 1:25, Demonic Niko was able to hold off a late bid by Seven Lick Range (Tyler Smith) to win by a half-length; pocket sitter Faster Horses (Merriman) was third.
Demonic Niko, by In Range out of the Cantab Hall mare Cant Stop Marie, was a $128,378 Ohio Selected Yearling Sale purchase from breeder Labelle Farms. Erv Miller trains the filly for Ervin Miller Stable, Anthony Lombardi and Doug Overhiser. Her sixth win in eight starts, Demonic Niko now has $280,710 in earnings.
The 90-day 2025 Eldorado Scioto Downs race meet is down to the last two weeks and runs through Saturday, September 13. Racing continues this Thursday-Saturday; next week, closing week, races will be held Wednesday-Saturday. First post for all scheduled race days is 5:45 p.m. with exception of Friday, Sept. 12. A special late first post of 6:45 p.m. will help accommodate horsemen attending the Ohio Selected Yearling Sale.
(Scioto Downs)