by Anne Doolin for Scioto Downs

Columbus, OH – Scioto Downs emerged from a morning soaking on Independence Day in time to play host to four fast divisions of Ohio Sires Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts. Track Superintendent Bob Young’s surface was rated sloppy for the first three races, but upgraded to good by the fourth on the holiday matinee card.

The combination of leading trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. and leading driver Brett Miller teamed up to take two of the OSS divisions, while trainer Scott Cox and driver Greg Grismore captured the other pair.

In the first division, Miller swung Private Room wide at the head of the lane from mid-pack, and drew off to a three and three-quarter length victory in 1:54. The Nobleland Sam colt is owned by Barnett Zimmerman LLC of Deerfield, IL. It was his second win in six outings this season for the Morgan trainee. Psilvuheartbreaker was second with Lite Me Up third.

Touchdown notched just that in the second division, nabbing the early lead and never looking back en route to a five-and-a-half length score in 1:53.2 with Greg Grismore up for trainer Scott Cox. The Towner’s Big Guy colt won five of eight as a freshman, and is now three for eight this season. He took his mark of 1:51.3 at Northfield in May. I’m Faster was second, Ramblin Bunny third.

JL Magic Max, with the Miller/Morgan combination again, made it look like child’s play in just his second lifetime start, taking command early and drawing off to a seven-length 1:53 win. The son of Stand Forever, owned by Joseph Muscara of Huntington Valley, PA, has been kept sharp on a steady diet of qualifying races. He was unraced at two.

Air McNair was second and Osborne’s Bullet, who won the OSS Championship Final at two, was third.

Grismore got his second sires stake in the finale with Scott Cox trained and co-owned J P Jackpot, in 1:52.4. Another son of Stand Forever, the gelding won by three and a quarter lengths for his fifth win in nine starts this season. Tre Bien was second and Witness Stand third.

Scioto returns to its normal night-time schedule through the rest of July, racing Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.