Columbus, OH — Freshman colts and sophomore filly trotters will step into the spotlight for the Ohio State Fair Stakes at Eldorado Scioto Downs on Friday (Aug. 2).
A total of six divisions will go behind the gate. Of the six, Ron Burke trains four of the morning line favorites.
Three $54,000 divisions of freshman colt trotters will kick off the night. Twenty-one starters will represent 14 trainers and seven stallions. What The Hill will have seven sons on the track while Long Tom will have six.
Rose Run Alex is the 9-5 favorite in the first division. Trained by Burke, the son of What The Hill has hit the board twice in three lifetime starts. Rose Run Alex won the most recent leg of the Ohio Sires Stakes in 1:56.3. He has bankrolled over $38,000 for Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Weaver Bruscemi and Knox Services.
Hilltop Sonar is the even-money favorite in the second division. The gelded son of What The Hill is a recent addition to the Burke Brigade. Hilltop Sonar claims the fastest lifetime mark of the field in 1:55.1, set with his only victory, in the second leg of the Ohio Sires Stakes. Originally a $6,000 purchase by Kim Dailey from the Buckeye Classic Sale, Hilltop Sonar earned $29,000 in two starts. Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Beasty LLC and Rich Lombardo Racing now own the gelding.
In the final division, LT Loverboy is the 2-1 favorite. The Long Tom gelding is two-for-two in the Ohio Sires Stakes with a mark of 1:56.1. In four lifetime starts, he has amassed $57,500 for owners Wayne Mast Jr. and Callam Racing. Daren Harvey trains LT Loverboy.
For pacing colts, two $85,700 divisions will go forth. Seventeen trainers will send 19 2-year-olds to the track. Nine sires will be represented with Downbytheseaside having eight offspring.
Swingtown will look to stay perfect as the 6-5 favorite in the first division. Swingtown won both the $150,000 Next Generation and two legs of the Ohio Sires Stakes. In three starts, the son of Downbytheseaside has a lifetime mark of 1:52.1. The Burke trainee has bankrolled $132,500 for Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Knox Services and R A S Racing.
Rick Wink is the favorite in the second division at 9-5. The Bit Of A Legend N colt is undefeated in three lifetime starts with a mark of 1:52.1. With two Ohio Sires Stakes victories, he is the richest in the field with $63,500 in the bank. Burke trains for Burke Racing Stable, R A S Racing, Knox Services, and J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby.
One division of 3-year-old filly trotters, carrying a purse of $139,000, will go behind the gate. The field of eight represents eight trainers and six stallions.
Sugar Instead is the 2-1 favorite. The daughter of Volstead is perfect thus far into her sophomore season. She has five wins on the year, including two Ohio Sires Stake leg victories. Sugar Instead is trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. She has lifetime earnings of $481,425 for owners Joyce McClelland and Larry Wills.
Eldorado Scioto Downs features Ohio State Fair Stakes action on Friday and Saturday (Aug. 3). First race post is 5:45 p.m.