by Dean A. Hoffman, for Scioto Downs

Columbus, OH — The sophomore pacers Doc’s Yankee and Trick Man scored wins in divisions of the Director of Agriculture as the Ohio State Fair stakes wrapped up at Scioto Downs on Saturday night, August 7.

Trick Man was coming off a close finish in the Adios final and he made easy work of his Ohio-sired foes. Trainer-driver Ray Paver shot him to the front after the first half-mile and thereafter the decision was never in doubt. The son of Mantacular scored in 1:51.4, equaling the fastest mile of the meet. His margin over Manip U Lator BB was four lengths while B N Bad was third.

It was the third win in 10 starts this season for Trick Man, who is owned by Ronald Brechler of Mount Vernon, Ohio.

Scioto Downs photo

Doc’s Yankee exploded three-wide to win a division of the Director of Agriculture for driver Dan Noble in 1:53.

Doc’s Yankee went off at 1-5 but some of his backers were surely nervous when he was well back in the pack after the first half-mile. He was third-over for driver Dan Noble, but Noble sent him three wide around the final turn. The gelded son of Yankee Cruiser exploded with pace and won in 1:53 over Yarrows Cruiser and Kid Cruiser.

Ron Potter trains the winner for Bay Racing Stable of Delaware, Ohio. He’s won half of his 10 starts this season.

Magical New Day was an impressive winner in the Buckeye State Pace for freshmen. Driver Greg Grismore put him right on the back of pacesetting Lima Thunder. Grismore sent his colt past the leader after the five-eighth-mile marker and seized the lead. Magical New Day hesitated coming into the stretch and suddenly Integrity loomed as a challenger, but Magical New Day found another gear to finish his mile in 1:55.2. Integrity was second while Dancin Yankee grabbed third money.

Scott Cox trains Magical New Day for Donald and Maryann Glenny of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. It was his first career win.

Heavy favorite T Russell Lou took control of the other division soon after the start, but that didn’t deter driver Jack Dailey from sending I D K after the leader midway through the race. I D K went past the leader and had enough to stave off Glenn’s Countryboy in the 1:57.1 effort. T Russell Lou held for third.

Charles Ross trains I D K and owns the son of Stand Forever in partnership with Douglas Ross. It was his second straight Scioto win in 1:57.1.