Grove City, OH — The Jerry Knappenberger Series, for non-winners of one colt pacers, headlined Eldorado Scioto Downs’ opening night card Thursday (May 8) with trainer Ryan Miller taking two of the five divisions with Garoppolo in 1:52.2 and Spiritshappyending in 1:53.
Garoppolo (Jeremy Smith) took the fastest division in 1:52.2. The Bit Of A Legend N gelding dropped in fourth from post seven and pulled partway down the backstretch to swoop by the leaders. Fond Of Dancin (Brett Miller) put on the pressure coming down the stretch, but Garoppolo held him off to win by three-quarters of a length. Garoppolo, owned by Miller Racing Stable, Mazing Racing Stable and Melinda Hayes, now has a win and two thirds in four starts this season.
Spiritshappyending and Tyler Smith took the fourth division, leading gate-to-wire in 1:53. Odds On Odin (Luke Hanners) made a bid down the stretch but could not catch the leader who won under a hand drive by three lengths. The Downbytheseaside gelding is owned by Country Club Acres, Miller Racing Stable and Lynn Miller.
Makin Moonshine (Dancin Yankee) took the first division of the Knappenberger in 1:53.1. Leaving from post five, the Deborah Swartz trainee was parked to the :27 opening quarter and got the two-hole trip behind Down Two Party (Miller). Dan Noble pulled Makin Moonshine at the three-quarter pole and down the stretch held off Cruising Zone (Chris Page) who came up the passing lane. Makin Moonshine is owned by Bradley Delaney and now has $19,167 earned in 14 lifetime starts.
Ohohoh Im On Fire (Austin Hanners) led gate-to-wire in the third division, hitting the finish a length and a half over South Sea (Miller) in 1:53.2. The colt by Catch The Fire is trained by Todd Luther for Greg Luther Racing. Ohohoh Im On Fire did not start as a 2-year-old but started racing in March and has now hit the board in four of his five lifetime starts, earning $15,500.
The last division of the Knappenberger went in 1:54.2 with Real Thriller taking the finale by three-quarters of a length. Trevor Smith got the duo away seventh and came three-wide just after the three-quarter pole to take over the lead. The Western Terror gelding was the second winner of the night for trainer Scott Mogan and owner/breeder Richard Noel.
In the first race of the evening Real Thriller’s 4-year-old half-sister by Nob Hill High, Real Star, won in 1:51.4. Their dam, Real Joy, had a third foal in Thursday evening with Real Storm, a 5-year-old by Western Terror, finishing third.
Racing continues Friday (May 9) with another 16-race card, including the $25,000 Open Trot and Filly & Mare Open Pace.
The 90-day 2025 Eldorado Scioto Downs race meet runs through Saturday (Sept. 13). Races will be held Tuesday-Saturday, with special holiday cards on Memorial Day and Labor Day. First post is at 5:45 p.m. each day except for Memorial Day (4 p.m.), June 19 (4 p.m.), July 4 (3:15 p.m.) and Sept. 12 which will have a 6:45 p.m. post to help accommodate horsemen attending the Ohio Selected Yearling Sale. More information about racing at Scioto can be found on the Eldorado Scioto Downs website.