Columbus, OH – Scioto Downs had their test run on Saturday (May 16) in the form of 16 qualifying events in preparation for their pari-mutuel opening of their 62nd season on Friday (May 22).

Arrival, with Aaron Merriman driving, edges past Satisfaction (Trevor Smith) in Scioto Downs Qualifying action on Saturday. Photo by Gabe Prewitt.

With Eldorado Resorts Senior Vice-President of Racing Joe Morris and Racing Secretary Jason Roth on hand to greet horsemen and women at the stable gate, the entry box was bursting with enthusiasm in the form of more than 140 entries.

Many of the “kingpins” in the sport, including leading trainer Ron Burke and top dash winner Aaron Merriman were on hand in competition and the appropriately named track superintendent Phillip Good had the famed five-eighths mile oval lightning fast in welcoming all back to Ohio.

Stressing the quality of the horseflesh appearing this day, the first of the 16 qualifying events featured a million dollar field of trotters, actually a $2.2 million dollar field, which went to Workinitonbroadway, handled by Chris Page for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi in 1:55.3.

The “feature” qualifying event of the day consisted of a field of nine with more than $3 million in career bounty and many of the elite drivers in the sport. But it was a 26 year-old “rookie,” Devon Tharps, who stole the show with General Dolan, a 5-year-old altered son of Rockin Image trained by Robert Phillips for breeders-owners John and Robert Esposito.

Young Tharps sent General Dolan to the front at the opening marker(:27.1) and went on the lead the rest of the journey to score in 1:52.3.

Devon began his career in the sport in 2019 and is looking for his first lifetime pari-mutuel win after 14 career trips back of the starting gate.

“I thought the track was great. I don’t think you could’ve asked for a better surface,” said Merriman in summing up the day.   He also lauded the efforts of Joe Morris, Jason Roth and Gabe Prewitt, who spent valuable time with the horsemen upon arrival and in the paddock.

A live stream of the qualifiers was shown on the OHHA Facebook page and replays will be available on “trotandpacemarketing.com.”

Post time for the Friday (May 22) night opener is 6:30 p.m.