by Dean A. Hoffman, for Scioto Downs

Columbus, OH — Hello Carlo is the morning line choice to take the Todd Christy Memorial Trot on the special Monday afternoon (May 30) matinee at Scioto Downs.

The 6-year-old gelding has been first or second in 10 of his 15 starts this year and has banked $35,370 for owner Mario Caponi. Larry Clabaugh trains the son of Carry The Messge, who will start from post three in the field of eight trotters.

The race honors the memory of the veteran Ohio horseman, who dearly loved a good trotter. Christy died in late 2008 at age 71.

Hello Carlo ships in from Buffalo Raceway in western New York where he’s compiled three straight wins in Open Handicap Trots over the half-mile track.

He’ll need to be in top form to handle the challenge from Hardwood Chips, an impressive 1:56.1 winner in his first start of the year. Hardwood Chips rallied from off the pace to collar the leaders in the stretch on May 21 to win by a neck over Maple Point and Near The Limit, who will also be starting in the Christy Memorial.

Not to be overlooked in the field is the 6-year-old mare B V’s Sister, a career winner of $378,337. She was favored in her only start in the Open Handicap Trot at Scioto, but broke stride and lost all chance. She qualified back nicely and could well be a factor in the Christy Memorial. She’s from the stable of Virgil Morgan, Jr., the track’s leading trainer.

Rounding out the field are Awesome Andrea, One Sharp Spur, and Muscle Sprouts.

Also on the Memorial Day card at Scioto are three legs of the Floating Dream series and two legs of the Steamin Demon series, both for pacers.

Post time is 1 p.m.