Columbus, OH — Two-year-old fillies took the stage Thursday (Aug. 3) at Eldorado Scioto Downs in Ohio State Fair action. Iam Independent took the $54,500 first division for trotters, tying the 1:55.1 track record.

Iam Independent took the $54,500 first division for trotters, tying the 1:55.1 track record. Conrad photo.

Leaving from post five, Chris Page took Iam Independent straight to the front, albeit parked for the first turn, and hit the quarter in :27.2. Comfortably clocking fractions of :57.1 and 1:26.4, the Triumphant Caviar filly kicked home in :28.2 to win by two lengths. Race favorite Sugar Instead (Ronnie Gillespie) was in hot pursuit pulling from third at the three-quarter pole but could not get there. Possibility (Aaron Merriman) got the pocket trip and finished third.

Trained by Ron Burke, Iam Independent is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Weaver Bruscemi and Knox Services Inc. Bred by Marion Beachy, Iam Independent now has $73,000 in earnings in five starts. Going off at 5-2 she paid $7.40 to win.

Justasiam As took a different approach to win the $54,500 second division by coming off the pace to win in 1:57.3. Tony Hall took the filly off the gate to seventh while Purplepeopleater (Anthony MacDonald) set early fractions of :28.2 and :59.2. Hot Tea (Tyler Smith) came first up with Hall third over. The field hit the three-quarters in 1:28.1 and halfway through the last turn Justasiam As was four-wide. Justasiam As won by a half-length over Hot Tea with Chulita (Trevor Smith) finishing third.

Justasiam As is trained by Anette Lorentzon for owner/breeder ACL Stuteri AB. The Lionhunter filly now has $47,250 earned in four starts with three wins. The race favorite paid $4.40 to win.

Roxanna (Merriman) was declared the winner of the third division, going for $55,200, when race favorite Jurassic Hattie (Brett Miller) caused interference late in the stretch. Jurassic Hattie set early fractions of :28, :58 and 1:26.3. Midway down the backstretch Merriman had Roxanna out and moving to close in :28.4 to fall just a nose short. After a judge’s inquiry, Roxanna was placed first at 9-1 to pay $21.20 to win.

Roxanna, by What The Hill, is trained by co-owner Chris Beaver and co-owned by breeder Sandra Burnett. Roxanna now has two wins in four starts with $58,600 in earnings.

The 2-year-old pacing divisions were won by Seaside Diva, Rose Run Zoey and Beautiful Lather.

Seaside Diva took her $58,000 division in 1:51.2. Conrad photo.

Seaside Diva (Page) took the $58,000 first division in 1:51.2 by 1-1/4 lengths over Flyin Bullets (Miller) and Heartofthesea (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.). The Downbytheseaside filly took back out of the nine hole and came charging home in :26.4 to win for trainer Burke and owners/breeders Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Knox Services Inc. and Let It Ride Stables Inc. Seaside Diva now has three wins in six starts and earnings of $111,750.

Rose Run Zoey also came off the pace to take her $57,300 division in 1:51.3 for Tyler Smith. Illegal (Kayne Kauffman) finished 2-1/2 lengths back while Daisy’s Star (Merriman) was third. The Lather Up filly is owned by Miller Racing Stable Inc. and trained by Ryan Miller. She now has one win in four starts and $53,450 in earnings.

The $58,000 final division went to Beautiful Lather in 1:52.4. Merriman took the Lather Up filly back to fourth in early fractions of :27.1 and :56. By the 1:23.4 third quarter, she was out and moving to challenge the leader Fearless Ginger (Chris Lems). Getting up to win by 1-3/4 lengths, Beautiful Lather took her second win in six starts for co-owner/trainer Tye Loy and David Wills, Richard Coad and Douglas Gregory.

Ohio State Fair action continues Friday (Aug. 4) with 2-year-old colt trotters, 3-year-old filly pacers and 3-year-old filly trotters. First post is 5:50 p.m. Special promotions throughout the weekend include family “state fair” type activities including a petting zoo on Friday, food trucks and bounce house.

Racing is held at Scioto Downs each Tuesday and Wednesday with a 3:15 p.m. first post and Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays with a 5:50 p.m. first post through Saturday (Sept. 16). Follow @SciotoRacing on Twitter for all the details of the 2023 racing season at Eldorado Scioto Downs. More information about the entire Scioto Downs racing season, including race schedule, wagering menu, VIP room reservations and more can be found at www.SciotoDowns.com.