Columbus, OH — A pair of Open Trots highlighted the Friday (May 10) evening card at Eldorado Scioto Downs, and, for the second night in a row, there was significant growth in handle over 2023 with a 48-percent increase over last year’s first Friday card.

Forceful Power took the $26,000 Fillies and Mares Open in 1:54. The 6-year-old daughter of Triumphant Caviar, trained and driven by Hugh “Sandy” Beatty, sat last as Martysmagicmoment (Kayne Kauffman) set fractions of :27, :55.4 and 1:24.3 before unleashing a :28.1 last quarter to win by a quarter length. In the end, just two lengths separated the entire field. Forceful Power now has 12 wins in 32 lifetime starts and has earned $189,635 for owner Stephen Sexton.

Kildare King (Aaron Merriman) took the $27,000 Open Trot for trainer Chris Beaver and owner-breeder Robert Goodman in 1:53.4. The 6-year-old gelded son of Trixton sat mid-pack behind fractions of :27.3, :56.4 and 1:25.4 were set up front. Kildare King closed in :27.2 to win by a quarter length over stablemate Caviar Gold (Chris Page). This was the 20th lifetime win for Kildare King while he inches closer to $600,000 in career earnings.

Kildare King lifted late to capture Friday’s Open Trot at Scioto Downs. Conrad Photo.

There was also two divisions of the $15,000 Falcon Almahurst, for fillies eligible to the Buckeye Stallion Series but did not start in the first leg of the Ohio Sires Stakes. I’m A Beach Lady (Downbytheseaside) took the first division for Luke Hanners and trainer Herman Hagerman in 1:53.3. The second division went to Fearless Ginger (Fear The Dragon) in 1:53.2 for owner-trainer Tim Lane and driver Tyler Smith.

Both Chris Page and Tony Hall drove three winners on the card, while Virgil Morgan Jr. had a training triple for owner Odds On Racing.

The last night of Scioto’s opening weekend takes place Saturday (May 11) with another 16-race card. There will be a $15,000 guaranteed Pick-5 pool for the first race, with a carryover of $3,457, as well as a Super Hi-5 carryover of $1,729 in race four.

The 90-day 2024 Eldorado Scioto Downs race meet runs through Saturday, Sept. 14. Races are held Tuesday through Saturday, with special holiday cards on Memorial Day and Labor Day taking place instead of the Tuesday card that week. First post is at 5:45 p.m. each day except for Thursday, July 4, with a post of 3:15 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 13, which will have a 6:15 p.m. post to help accommodate horsemen attending the Ohio Selected Yearling Sale. More information about racing at Scioto can be found on the Eldorado Scioto Downs website.