from Scioto Downs Racino

Columbus, OH — Scioto Downs’ first qualifiers of the season were held Monday (April 28) in preparation for the live racing season which starts on Thursday (May 8).

Qualifiers will continue to be held on Mondays throughout the summer with a post time of 10 a.m. The condition sheet for the first week of live racing is now available and Scioto Downs is set up for online entry.

Announcer Barry Vicroy took a practice run this morning, giving the race calls for the eight-race card.

The highlights from Monday’s rainy morning card started in the first qualifier when Tim Lane’s trainee Tangible Art, a 3-year-old Wearble Art pacing filly, made her debut an impressive one for her connections. After sitting off the pace to a 1:02 half, Alex Hawk said let’s go and Tangible Art cruised to a :28.2 third quarter and held off a fast closing Princess Rock to win her qualifier in 1:59.3.

Next up was Il Songo Dream for trainer and driver Christopher Beaver, also making his comeback. This 3-year-old trotting colt by Cantab Hall took a mark of 1:55.4 last year and banked $112,899. Beaver and his colt set the fractions and they didn’t disappoint, trotting away from their foes and winning the qualifier in 2:00.4 by 9-1/2 lengths.

Then in the very next race, a 3-year-old pacing gelding by Strong Player, Player’s King, trained by Earl Owings and driven by Kyle Ater, took the fastest mile of the day on the sloppy track, stopping the timer in 1:58.1.

To wrap up the eight-race morning card, Jim Arledge, Jr. sent out Mall Star, a 3-year-old trotting colt by Star Challenge. This chestnut colt and driver Jim Pantaleano got a pocket ride before Pantaleano angled out past the three-quarters to win by 2-1/4 lengths in 2:00.1.

With the weather not playing in our favor, the card still offered an impressive preview of what’s to come. With purses on the rise in Ohio, racing will definitely be exciting and you don’t want to miss it.