A special Labor Day card at Eldorado Scioto Downs featured the fourth leg of the Buckeye Stallion Series for sophomore trotters on Monday (Sept. 5). Two divisions of three-year-old fillies and three divisions of three-year-old colts each competed for $17,500.
In the first division, husband and wife duo Dan and Christi Noble teamed up for the win with Lady Is Great (pictured above) in 1:54.3. Driven by Dan, the Creatine filly got away second. Despite being overlooked at 9-1, Lady Is Great popped the pocket headed to the half-mile marker and never looked back. In a new lifetime-best effort, Lady Is Great defeated the 1-5 favourite, La Belle Riviere (Aaron Merriman), with Queens Future (Brett Miller) finishing third.
The victory marks the third BSS win for Lady Is Great this year. The filly has banked $63,631 in lifetime earnings for breeder and owner Acadia Farms.
Brekkenridge (Merriman) took the second division in a new lifetime mark of 1:57. The filly tried to gain control of the field but ultimately settled for a trip third along the rail. The daughter Break The Bank K sat patiently until the Lightning Lane. Wishing Itsme (Don Irvine Jr) was second while Kahlua Mudslide (Tyler Smith) completed the trifecta.
Brekkenridge has hit the board 12 of 17 seasonal starts for trainer Chris Beaver. Despite being unraced at two, the filly boasts $60,621 in lifetime earnings. Brekkenridge is owned in partnership by her conditioner alongside Lance and Larry Baylis.
The first and fastest division of three-year-old colt trotters went to Bridge To Victory (Smith). Leaving from post seven, the gelded son of What The Hill made his way to the top as soon as the dust settled. At 9-5, Bridge To Victory easily cruised home in 1:55.2. Count The Coin (Noble) finished second with 1-1 favourite Stone Mason in third.
The Jeff Smith trainee has found his groove in 2022. With more than $68,000 in seasonal earnings, Bridge To Victory has tallied five wins in 13 starts for co-owners Ervin Miller Stable, Louis Willinger and Randy Wilt.
At 4-5, Guido Di (Chris Lems) won the second division in 1:56.1. Deciding a pocket trip wasn’t for him, the Wishing Stone gelding quickly took over after the first turn. With soft quarters, Guido Di remained unchallenged for the entirety of the mile. Peterbilt (Hugh Beatty) came in second and Masculine Hill (Miller) held on for third.
Trained by Steve Schoeffel, Guido Di has won half of his 14 starts in 2022. After racing at the Ohio Sires Stakes level for most of his career, the gelding has bankrolled $186,575 in lifetime earnings for owners Virginia and Kathy Schoeffel. Lewis Falton and Sara Zidek.
The final BSS division was taken by Baker Time (Smith) in 1:56.4. At 12-1, the gelded son of Long Tom raced conservatively in the middle of the pack. Seemingly buried in the final turn, Baker Time dug in with an inside move up the Lightning Lane to win in a new lifetime best. The 55-1 longshot Go Go Andy (Kurt Sugg) rallied for second with Rose Run Xander (Merriman) finishing third.
Baker Time has now won six seasonal starts for owner and trainer Deborah Swartz. With four additional second place finishes, the gelding has earned nearly $60,000 throughout his racing career.
Racing will resume with Ohio Sires Stakes action for two-year-old filly trotters on Thursday (Sep 8) at Eldorado Scioto Downs.
(With files from Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)