This weekend is the start of many action-packed weekends at Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs. The track will host 25 races on Friday and Saturday, with first post scheduled for 6:30 p.m. both nights.
The 2019 Scioto Downs meet offers a new placement of the Pick-5 wager and 10- cent superfectas on almost every race. Every race night, beginning in the first race, “The Downs” will offer a 20-cent Pick-5 which requires patrons to select winners from the first five races. If no one selects all five horses in the sequence, 75 percent will carry over to the next race night, while 25 percent will be paid out to those who correctly selected the most winners in the sequence.
Ohio native “Super” Brett Miller, who spent an extended amount of time testing the waters out on the East Coast, returns to Scioto Downs full-time for the first time since moving out east. Miller, his wife Stacy, along with their children Brayden, Charley, and Bentley, decided to make the move back to the Buckeye State following his stint on the East Coast. After returning to Ohio, Miller wasted no time getting back to business as he captured the Miami Valley Gaming driving title with 183 wins.
Scioto Downs will also welcome back driver Jeremy Smith to the sulky as he spent a majority of the Miami Valley meet away due to an injury. Smith took time to recover and wasted no time getting back to the winner's circle. A clear head and fresh feeling, Smith could take the other drivers for a ride to get the driving title here at Scioto.
On Friday night, Scioto plays host to the $25,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace in the fifth race. Welcomed back to Scioto after a winter on the East Coast is Clarebear, trained by Logan Powell. Clarebear (10-1 morning line) draws Post 2 and is returning to Ohio with 11 starts on the year, while hitting the board in nine of those efforts. She should be a big contender for this race having to take on a field of very talented mares. Ron Burke-trained Rosemary Rose is overdue for a win and will try to take down the feature from Post 6. It could be her time to shine with Chris Page in the bike.
The pacing boys are back in town on Saturday in the $25,000 Open. Starting from the rail is Docdor Friskie, trained by Ryan Miller. Tony Hall gets his first opportunity in the bike as Docdor Friskie has raced against some of the best, with his last victory two weeks ago against Indiana-bred Always A Prince. Dancin Yankee, one of the best Ohio-breds currently racing, will start from Post 9. Last week at Miami Valley, the nine hole did not stop the 11-year-old son of Yankee Cruiser. Dancin Yankee is trained by Burke and driven by Page.
Eldorado Scioto Downs will be racing for over $15 million in purses for the 2019 racing season. Racing will be held at the Columbus, Ohio oval Tuesdays-Saturdays. Wednesday through Saturday post times will be at 6:30 p.m. (EDT) while Tuesday and special holiday cards will start at 2:00 p.m.
(Scioto Downs)