Columbus, OH — The first of four finals for the non-winners of one series at Eldorado Scioto Downs was held on Wednesday (May 26). Fire Cross and Kayne Kauffman took the Kevin Greenfield for 3-5-year-old male trotters in 1:56.

A cavalry charge into the first turn resulted in race favorite Naughty Triumphant (Brett Miller) being initially caught four-wide from the eight hole. Blank Space AS (Chris Page) took the early lead with Bankster (Tyler Smith) going three-wide early and parked the entire first quarter before making the front in :28.1.

Fire Cross won by five lengths in 1:56. Conrad photo.

The outer flow developed to the :57.3 half with eventual race winner Fire Cross going second over and tipping three-wide midway down the backstretch. By the time Fire Cross hit the three-quarter pole in 1:26.2, he was 3-1/2 lengths on top, and under a hand drive he won by five lengths in 1:56.

Fire Cross is owned by Miller Racing Stable Inc., Horseplay Racing Stable, Melinda Hayes and Darmofal Racing Enterprises. Trained by Ryan Miller, the 3-year-old gelding by Triumphant Caviar out of the Muscles Yankee mare Classical Mary has now earned $34,630 lifetime. The race winner went off at 10-1 and paid $22.60 to win.

The $23,000 yearling purchase at the 2019 Ohio Selected Jug Sale had a rough start to his 3-year-old season.

“There’s been a few pieces of the puzzle missing and we hope we have them figured out,” said Miller. “We will have him ready for the Buckeye in a couple weeks and hope we can keep things going on a high note.”

Each of the non-winners of one series for 3-5-year-olds is named after Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association past presidents/general managers and consisted of two legs and a final. The $14,700 final for the John Konesky III (for female trotters) will be on Thursday (May 27) and a $15,600 final for the Steve McCoy (for female pacers) will be on Friday (May 28). The final for the Jerry Knappenberger, for male pacers, was postponed until Monday (May 31) due to part of the race card being canceled when the second leg was conducted.

Live racing at Scioto Downs will deviate from the normal Tuesday-Saturday schedule next week when a special Memorial Day card will be held on May 31 instead of the Tuesday card. Post time will still be 6:15 p.m. View the entire 2021 racing schedule here.