To watch a race replay of Charlie May’s Jim Ewart Memorial victory, click here
To watch a race replay of Cuatro De Julio‘s Charlie Hill Memorial victory, click here

Columbus, OH — Hometown hero Charlie May scored in the $200,000 Jim Ewart Memorial for older pacers at Eldorado Scioto Downs on Saturday (Sep. 10).

Digging in every step of the way, Charlie May stopped the clock in 1:48.3. USTA/Mark Hall photo.

The 4-year-old gelded son of McArdle left conservatively from the gate. Driven by Brett Miller, Charlie May settled into fifth along the rail. After a blazing :25.1 opening quarter, the gelding popped the pocket and flushed 1-9 favorite Allywag Hanover first up. The field reached the half in :53.4 while the three-quarter pole came in 1:20.3. Charlie May pulled three-wide into the final turn and eyed the finish line. Digging in every step of the way, Charlie May stopped the clock in 1:48.3 at his hometown track. This Is The Plan (Yannick Gingras) rallied for second while Allywag Hanover (Todd McCarthy) completed the trifecta.

Trained by Steve Carter, Charlie May is no stranger to the winner’s circle. The $1.5 million earner and world champion has now won 23 of 45 lifetime starts for breeder-owner Don Tiger.

The Ewart Memorial is an annual stake on the Grand Circuit. It is held in honor of Jim Ewart who served as race secretary at Scioto Downs from 1976 through 2002. Mr. Ewart passed in 2012.

Track record falls to Cuatro De Julio in Charlie Hill Memorial

Cuatro De Julio etched his name into Eldorado Scioto Downs history with his track record performance in the $200,000 Charlie Hill Memorial for older trotters on Saturday.

Cuatro De Julio etched his name into Eldorado Scioto Downs history with his track record performance in the $200,000 Charlie Hill Memorial. USTA/Mark Hall photo.

Getting the call for the first time, driver Yannick Gingras utilized Cuatro De Julio’s early speed out of the gate. The son of Trixton briefly found a pocket headed to the :26.3 opening quarter. Passing the clubhouse for the first time, Cuatro De Julio decided following wasn’t his style and pulled first up. After easily gaining control of the field, the 4-year-old stallion posted remaining fractions in :55.2 and 1:23 before tripping the wire in a new trotting track record older horses in 1:51.1.

Cuatro De Julio bested 9-2 second choice Lovedbythemasses (Andrew McCarthy) by two lengths with Kings County (Brett Miller) finishing third.

Kings County held the previous track record of 1:51.4, set earlier this year.

The victory marks the first Grand Circuit win for Cuarto De Julio in 2022. With $849,541 in the bank, the horse has tallied 15 career victories for trainer Marie Ortolan Bar. Cuarto De Julio is owned in partnership by his conditioner as well as D Farm.

The annual stake is held in memory of Scioto Downs founder and Hall of Fame track executive Charles Hill.

Live racing resumes Tuesday (Sep. 13) at Eldorado Scioto Downs. First post is 3:15 p.m. For more information on the facility and live racing season, visit the Eldorado Scioto Downs website.