Trotters starred in the feature events at Scioto Downs on Thursday night as two $6,500 events were contested.
Favoured R E Shawn prevailed for Ohio of Fame driver Chip Noble in the first, scoring from behind with a 1:59 mile. The son of Jailhouse Jesse is trained and owned by Paul Russell of Michigan.
Starting from post eight, R E Shawn was outside at every call in the mile and still managed to trot away from his rivals to win by 1-1/4 lengths. E Z Go Lavec and Heavenly Chip were the early pacesetters as Noble gradually advanced on the outside with R E Shawn.
In the final quarter, it came down to a duel between Heavenly Chip, driven by Dan Noble, and R E Shawn, driven by his father. The senior Noble had the trotter with the most step in the homestretch and he won. Heavenly Chip saved second and the 77-1 shot Pinechips Babe rallied to get third.
Two races later trainer-driver Don Pfister scored with Makin Green Lavec in 2:00 as he gunned down the favoured pacesetter, Reverand Speed, in the final quarter. Making Green Lavec had raced in mid-pack before Pfister asked his trotter for speed and he responded willingly. Reverand Speed wasn’t about to surrender easily and was just a neck back at the finish line. Jesses Smirk, sent off as odds of 36-1, finished third.
Makin Green Lavec is owned by George Ervin of Ohio.
Scioto is gearing up for Ohio Super Night on Saturday when the track will feature a 16-race card with more than $900,000 in purse money.
(Scioto Downs)