Columbus, OH – Buckeye Stallion Series action continued for the third leg for 2-year-old colt trotters on Wednesday (Aug. 17) at Eldorado Scioto Downs. Four divisions went behind the gate, each boasting a purse of $17,500.

Serene Bubby (Chris Lems) took the final and fastest division of the night in 1:58.1. Going off as the 7-5 favorite, Serene Bubby let the dust settle before taking the lead at the half. The Global Republic S gelding cruised across the finish line with Vondell Kemp (Brett Miller) in second and Thatwasnttheplan (Dan Noble) third.

Serene Bubby takes the fastest division of the Buckeye Stallion Series for 2-year-old colt trotters in 1:58.1. Conrad Photo

Serene Bubby has now won half of his four lifetime starts with an additional second place finish. Marion Chupp trains for Levi Hershberger.

In the first division, 1-1 favorite Republic Return (Don Irvine Jr) tripped the wire in 1:58.4. The gelded son of Global Republic S grabbed the lead out of the gate. Unchallenged throughout the remainder of the mile, Republic Return set fractions in :29.1, :59.4, and 1:29.4 before crossing the finish in a new lifetime mark. Rose Run Yakim (Noble) followed in second with Diggin Hot Blondes (Tyler Smith) finishing third.

Republic Return has hit the board in each of his eight seasonal starts. The Rosy Weaver trainee has bankrolled over $26,000 in six victories. Weaver co-owns the gelding alongside Heartland Acres.

At 23-1, Freeborn produced the biggest upset of the evening in a new lifetime mark of 1:58.2. Leaving from post nine, the gelding got away fifth. After following cover on the backside, the son of What The Hill pulled three-wide at the top of the stretch to best 8-5 favorite Romeo’s Dream (Josh Sutton) in second while Mister Lewis (Smith) completed the trifecta.

Freeborn was a $12,000 purchase from the Ohio Selected Jug Sale. With three wins and two second place finishes, the gelding now has $27,500 in career earnings. Miles Wollam conditions for Bob Troyer.

Tommy Norse (Sutton) rocked the third division in 1:59.1. The gelded son of Long Tom sat patiently on the rail until the top of the stretch. Tommy Norse spotted racing room up the Lightning Lane and kicked it into gear. Jogging Full Trot (Kurt Sugg) came in second while Feisty Sam (Matthew Brown) rallied for third.

The victory marks the first lifetime win for the Norman Robbins trainee. Tommy Norse is owned in partnership by his trainer and Susan Irene Robbins.

Live racing returns to Eldorado Scioto Downs on Thursday (Aug. 18) at 3:15 p.m. For more information on the facility and live racing season, visit the Eldorado Scioto Downs website.