Columbus, OH — Magestic Seas and Jurassic Hattie were the victorious 2-year-old fillies in their respective Next Generation events, held Saturday (July 1) at Eldorado Scioto Downs.
Magestic Seas captures Next Generation filly pace
Magestic Seas captured the $150,000 Next Generation for 2-year-old filly pacers in 1:53.2. The morning line favorite, who went off at 2-1, was expertly driven by Ronnie Wrenn Jr. for trainer Brian Brown.
Taking their time to get to the lead during the :27.4 opening quarter, Wrenn and Magestic Seas backed the tempo down to the :57 half. The field starting sprinting down the backside with Venice Blue Chip (Anthony MacDonald) coming first-up and flushing Daisy’s Star (Tyler Smith) from the three-hole. By the time they hit the three-quarters in 1:24.4, the field was stacked four in and four out.
In a tight finish, Magestic Seas held on to win by a neck over Seaside Diva (Chris Page), who fanned four-wide coming off the last turn. After coming first-up, Daisy’s Star finished third with Venice Blue Chip fourth.
“The drivers have done a good job not overdriving these babies in these races,” said Brown. “I didn’t want her to do too much, so the third quarter in :27.4 I figured we would have to pace a big last quarter to fend them off, and she didn’t have to, and Ronnie didn’t push her so I think there was more left.
“I want to thank a couple people: Brevin Lupton, her groom; Danny Jones, her (assistant) trainer; and Preferred Equine for helping sponsor this race.”
The Downbytheseaside filly, bred by Andray Farm and Sergent Stables, sold at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale for $110,000. Magestic Seas, the fifth foal out of the mare Magestic Blue Chip by Rocknroll Hanover, is a half sister to $876,454 winner Hellabalou (by Sweet Lou). She is owned by County Club Acres, Kirk Nichols and Scott Dillon, and she paid $6.60 to win.
Jurassic Hattie takes Next Generation filly trot
Freshman sire Volstead swept the top two spots in the $150,000 Next Generation for 2-year-old filly trotters, with Jurassic Hattie and Brett Miller going gate-to-wire to win in 1:56.2.
Going straight to the lead from the four-hole, Miller settled Jurassic Hattie on top to the :28.1 opening quarter. After a soft :31 second quarter, pocket sitter Possibility (Aaron Merriman) sat in while Ronnie Gillespie pulled favorite Sugar Instead at the 1:28.3 three-quarters.
Jurassic Hattie finished the race under a hand drive to win by 3-3/4 lengths for trainer Eric Nesselroad. Sugar Instead was second and Possibility third.
“He handed the lines to me and said, ‘Race her,’” said Miller. “She felt really good and she felt like she was a really good-gaited trotter. When I got that :31 second quarter, I felt pretty comfortable.”
Jerry Welch bred and owns the Volstead filly, who is the 10th foal out of the Striking Sahbra mare High Gear Sahbra. Jurassic Hottie paid $8.60 to win.
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, September 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.