by Dean A. Hoffman, for Scioto Downs

Columbus, OH — Seven 3-year-olds were winners in qualifiers at Scioto Downs on Saturday morning (April 30) as the Ohio track prepares to open its 53rd season of racing on May 13.

The fastest was a 1:56.3 mile by the Four Starzzz Shark lass Viva La Vida, a winner for owner Claude Hatfield, driver Tyler Smith, and trainer Virgil Morgan, Jr. She was making only her second public performance and came from off the pace to win by a nose over Cruisin Wanda.

Dean A. Hoffman photo

Two of the best freshman trotters in Ohio last year battle through the homestretch at Scioto on Saturday. ML Cupcake (#1) gets up to win for driver Chip Noble over Future Night Train, driven by Dan Noble, in 2:01.3.

Ohio Hall of Famer Sam “Chip” Noble scored with two sophomore trotting stars. The colt JJ Hall was a winner in 1:59.4 while the filly ML Cupcake outfooted Future Night Train in the stretch to trip the timer in 2:01.3. Both are returning after outstanding 2-year-old seasons. Last year ML Cupcake won four of eight starts and $48,319 while Future Night Train put together a 9-2-0 slate in 11 starts and earned $39,142.

In other 3-year-old pacing action, scoring identical 1:57.4 wins for trainer Mike Medors and driver J.D. Wengerd were the filly Dawn Of New Money and the colt Hangon Yankee. Both led from start to finish in their qualifiers.

Catch The Rapids made his first qualifier a winning one as the sophomore son of Nobleland Sam scored for Dan Noble in 1:59.1 and the Allamerican Native lass Miss Suggs won in 1:59.2 for David Myers.

Two older trotters by Cantab Hall looked impressive in their victories. Can’t Lose lived up to his name by easily outdistancing his rivals, reaching the wire in 1:59.3 to win by six lengths for Ty Van Rhoden. Cantabmyway marched to the front for Tyler Smith and set all the fractions in winning his 2:00.2 mile.

Scioto will conduct its next round of qualifiers on Tuesday, May 3.