by Dean A. Hoffman, for Scioto Downs

Columbus, OH — Mai Tai Guy went right to the front and never looked back in winning his $29,350 division of the Director of Agriculture 3-year-old colt pace at Scioto Downs on Saturday night, August 2. He hit the wire 4-1/4 lengths in front in 1:52.3.

Saturday’s program wrapped up a four-night stand of Ohio State Fair stakes at the Columbus track.

Trainer-driver Rick Schaut owns Mai Tai Guy in partnership with Patricia and Bruce Soulsby, and the son of Towner’s Big Guy-Elizabeth Street won his eighth race in 11 tries this season. He defeated Noble Fitch and Roxies Big Guy.

The other division of the Director of Agriculture was taken by Thunder Cruise, driven with supreme confidence by Chris Page. The Yankee Cruiser-Thunder Sahbra colt went three wide on the final turn and paced away from the field with each step in the homestretch, winning in 1:53 by 4-3/4 lengths. Thunder Cruise bested Raps Big Boy and Magical Cruisater. He’s owned by Sharon Kay Fisher and trained by Jack Fisher.

Scioto hosted a trio of divisions of the Buckeye State Pace for freshmen colt sidewheelers. The fastest went to Mr Shady in an impressive gate-to-wire performance in 1:54.3. The son of Towner’s Big Guy-Safety Belle T has been racing at the Ohio fairs and bettors allowed him to go off at 9-1. He defeated Somethingsgotagive and favored J Cruise. Roy Burns drove for trainer Herb Le Van and owner Melissa Le Van.

Noble Thought proved to be a popular winner as he connected to win his second race in five lifetime tries. The homebred son of Nobleland Sam-Gentle Thoughts hit the wire in 1:55.3 for owners Billie and Jerry Haws, trainer Charles Morgan, and driver Matt Kakaley. He held off Medoland Mac by a half-length while Sadies Legacy got up for third.

Sammy’s Cool Win, a son of Nobleland Sam-Cool Sahbra, took another division of the Buckeye State Pace in 1:57.3. He surged forward in the stretch to score by a length over Osborne’s Yankee and Uncle Josh. Jim Dailey drove for owner Esther Crownover and trainer Earl Owings. It was the colt’s fourth win in six starts this season.