Columbus, OH — The Grand Circuit moved to Eldorado Scioto Downs on Saturday (July 6) as the track played host to the Moni Maker and Nadia Lobell for the first time.

Joining the track in the evening festivities were Hall of Famers Wally Hennessey and Jimmy Takter, the driver and trainer during the majority Moni Maker’s career. The pair did an autograph signing, presented trophies and Wally led the post parade for the Moni Maker event with Ready For Moni, one of her grandsons who is currently standing stud at Midland Acres.

The $100,000 Moni Maker race was won by Allegiant and Hunter Myers in 1:52.1.

The $100,000 Moni Maker race was won by Allegiant and Hunter Myers in 1:52.1. Conrad photo.

Jurassic Hattie (Brett Miller) set the fractions of :27, :56.2 and 1:24. Allegiant was parked for the first half of the opening turn before she settled in third. The duo then came first up partway down the backside to challenge the leader. By the last turn they had taken over and confidently won the race by two lengths. Jurassic Hattie dug in to finish second while Roxanna (Aaron Merriman) came up the passing lane to finish third.

“She loves what she does,” said Myers. “Me having to come first up, I was a little worried about it, but knowing how good she was the previous weeks, I was pretty confident on how she was going to handle herself.”

Allegiant, by Tactical Landing, is trained by Vernon Beachy for Ryan Smith. After being in New Jersey for the NJSS, Allegiant was a winner in the Currier & Ives at The Meadows. She now has $393,397 in earnings from 15 lifetime starts.

The $100,000 Nadia Lobell was won by Seaside Diva and Chris Page in 1:50.4.

The $100,000 Nadia Lobell was won by Seaside Diva and Chris Page in 1:50.4. Conrad photo.

Rose Run Zoey (Tyler Smith) set early fractions for the compact field of :26.1, :55 and 1:23.1. Seaside Diva was third, pulled first over going down the backside and took the lead by the top of the stretch to win by a quarter-length over Pass Line (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.), who got the pocket trip. Lyons Legend (Merriman) came from the back of the pack to finish third.

Seaside Diva, by Downbytheseaside, is trained by Ron Burke for owner/breeders Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, Knox Services and Let It Ride Stables. She is a perfect 6-for-6 in 2024 starts, including the James Hackett Memorial final and the first two legs of the Ohio Sires Stakes, en route to now having $416,805 in lifetime earnings.

The 90-day 2024 Eldorado Scioto Downs race meet runs through Saturday (Sept. 14). More information about racing at Scioto can be found on the Eldorado Scioto Downs website.