by Mike Latessa, for Scioto Downs

Columbus, OH — The first legs of The Capital City Pace for mares and The Heart of Ohio Trot for mares kicked off an exciting weekend of racing at Scioto Downs.

The first division of The Capital City Pace featured 2003 American-National winner C C Spice, sent off as the post-time favorite. Starting from the outside post with driver Ryan Stahl, C C Spice went towards the top over a “sloppy” track. Dan Noble, guiding New Girl In Town, wasn’t giving up the front-end easy to C C Spice, parking her out in an opening quarter of :26. Stahl was able to reach the top after the quarter and ease the half mile marker in :55¹.

Brett Miller enjoyed the front-end fractions of the pacesetters while he was sitting sixth with Perfek Lady Kalfas. Miller and ‘Lady Kalfas’ made their move on the backside and began the grind towards the front, finally clearing at the top of the stretch and then rolled on to a four length victory over New Girl In Town. Tracy Lou finished third for driver David Repine and C C Spice had to settle for fourth place money. The time of the mile was 1:54².

Scioto Downs’ leading trainer, Virgil Morgan, Jr., trains Perfek Lady Kalfas for owner John Kalfas from Baldwin, New York.

In the first division of The Heart of Ohio Trot, it was all Jim “The Sportsman” Dailey and Sack Cloth, going wire-to-wire in 1:59³. Benn’s Janer, trained and driven by Michigan native Todd Buter, made a valiant effort to catch the pacesetter, but fell a half length short. Brett Miller and Medoland Miracle held on for third place.

Charlie Norris, shipping in from The Meadows, trains Sack Cloth, who grabbed his seventh win of the year.

The second division of The Capital City Pace featured top mares Magical Mickey for Scott Cox and Chicago invader Odds On Michelle for Robin Schadt. Both mares were sent off as the even money co-favorites.

When the gate opened up on the field of six, Bob Harper rolled Odds On Michelle to the front from the two hole. Brett Miller floated Magical Mickey out from the rail and retook the top after an opening quarter in :28.

Magical Mickey never looked back and kept on rolling to a one and a half length victory over Odds On Michelle. Siren and driver Jeff Nisonger rallied to finish third for trainer Mike Roth, only three and a half lengths off the winner.

Magical Mickey picked up her eighth win of the year and paced the mile in 1:54².

Track record holder Rompaway Stacey returned to Scioto Downs for the second division of The Heart of Ohio Trot. It has been three years since she set the track record of 1:54² for four-year-old mares, but Rompaway Stacey didn’t forget her way around the South High Street Oval, going gate-to-wire for driver/trainer Donald Harmon. O’Cala Kash held on for second, after a first over trip with driver Brett Miller. Dream Alone finished third for driver John Wagner.

Rompaway Stacey trotted an impressive 1:57² mile over the sloppy track. With the win, the seven-year-old N V Worthy mare goes over the $400,000 mark on her card.

Three more legs remain of both late closers, before the $20,000 (est.) finals on Labor Day’s matinee card.

Saturday night at Scioto Downs features the first legs of the Capital City Pace and The Heart of Ohio Trot for stallions and geldings.