from Scioto Downs Racino

Columbus, OH — Scioto Downs General Manager of Racing Operations, Stacy Cahill, was joined on Saturday (Aug. 16) by drivers Aaron Merriman, Kayne Kauffman, Zach Mogan, Tyler Smith and Ronnie Wrenn Jr., who were challenged by Friday night’s supporters of ALS.

Conrad photo

Stacy Cahill (third from left) was joined on Saturday by drivers Aaron Merriman, Kayne Kauffman, Tyler Smith, Zach Mogan and Ronnie Wrenn Jr.

The Ice Bucket Challenge was carried out prior to first race post time. The group made donations and challenged drivers and executives at Northfield Park.

The excitement carried over to the 13-race program. Ardyne Ace and Randy Tharps grinded out a win in the $25,000 Open Pace in 1:50.4. Ardyne Ace is an 8-year-old gelded son of Ace’s N Sevens. He’s trained by Jim Pollock Jr. for David Ehrenberg II and Daniel Fawcett.

Ardyne Ace started from assigned post five in the scratched down field of eight and Randy Tharps had the lines. Tharps was content to take off the gate and race from off the pace when a slew of leavers left hard for command. Santa Fe Beachboy and Josh Sutton landed on the front after the opening quarter that was paced in :26.4. The Indiana invader, Paco Labrook and Brad Hanners, got the pocket ride behind the betting second choice.

Before the half that was paced in :54.2, Ardyne Ace and Tharps were underway in their first over bid. They pressed the pace down the backside and hit three-quarters in 1:22.2.

Even after the :27.3 parked third quarter Ardyne Ace was far from tired. He had a game effort to win by one length over a late charging Lucky Lime and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. J’s Six Pak Attack and Dan Noble completed the trifecta. A mere five lengths covered the entire field of talented pacers.

Racing continues on Wednesday (Aug. 20). First race post time is 6:30 p.m.