by Dean A. Hoffman, for Scioto Downs

Columbus, OH — Bill Long, Jr. drove V Squared to a bittersweet victory in the opening round of six “Best of the Rest” races at Scioto Downs on Monday afternoon (Sept. 7). The races are for the horses that did not qualify for the Ohio Super Night finals.

Long’s triumph was bittersweet because the sophomore trotting gelding is trained by Justin Hall, who remains in a coma after a racing accident in Ohio last week.

“Justin’s one of my best friends,” said Long in the winner’s circle after V Squared hit the wire in 1:58 to win by 1-1/2 lengths. Justin Hall had driven V Squared as well as trained him. The son of Pegasus Spur is owned by C.D. Casto and he defeated Faster N Funk and Master In Charge.

The trainers and drivers competing at Scioto on Labor Day donated their earnings to their fellow horseman Hall, who faces continued hospitalization.

The freshman colt pace for the “Best of the Rest” went to Dixie Union and driver Chris Page in 1:56.3. He shrugged off being parked an opening quarter in :26.4 and led the rest of the mile. He reached the wire ahead of Sand Summerfield and Northmedo Cruiser. Steve Carter trains the winner, a son of Yankee Cruiser. It was the first win in eight starts this season for Dixie Union.

Medowland Mac reduced his record almost two full seconds in winning the sophomore pace for males. The gelded son of Nuclear Siren tipped three wide in the final turn to zoom away from Somethinsgottagive and Romeo’s Touch. Russell Swartz was in the bike for trainer Mike Medors. It was only the third win in 19 races this year for Medoland Mac and he dropped his mark to 1:53.4.

Wolf Creek Ted got a perfect pocket trip behind Rose Run Luther in the trot for 2-year-old males and rallied in the stretch to win in 1:58.4 for driver Dan Noble and trainer Jim Arledge, Jr. Once he put away the pacesetter, Noble looked over his left shoulder and saw his father Chip Noble looming along the inside.

“He was finishing real fast there but I was confident that we had it won,” said Noble after the race.

Wolf Creek Ted beat Oh No It’s Stevo and Hezahumer.

Noble also drove Lite Cruiser to victory in the freshman filly pacing event as she came first-over against favored Clara G and put her away easily to win by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:56.4. Stormy Kalfas was second and She’s A Ball finished third while Clara G faded to fourth. Lite Cruiser is trained by Delvin Criswell and she’s a daughter of Yankee Cruiser.

Robinmeblind raced like a 2-5 favorite should race in winning the event for sophomore filly pacers. The grey filly went to the front and set such fast fractions that none of her rivals could catch her in the stretch. Civil Shepherd was second while Cruise On By was six lengths back in third. Jack Dailey drove the winner for trainer Mike Lee. Robinmeblind is by Stand Forever.

The first race on the Labor Day card at Scioto was taken by Just Crowned in an impressive 1:54.1 for driver Chip Noble, trainer Jim Arledge, Jr. and the Miller’s Stable. The son of Artsplace won by 3-1/2 lengths after setting all the fractions from post eight.