Columbus, OH — Malibu Kid, going off as the favorite in six of his last eight starts, was once again the betting public’s choice and he did not disappoint, taking the first $17,500 division of Buckeye Stallion Series action for 3-year-old colt trotters at Eldorado Scioto Downs on Saturday (Sept 4).

Malibu Kid (Dan Noble) came wide from fourth to win by 1-1/2 lengths in a new lifetime best of 1:55.4. Conrad photo.

Fire Cross (Kayne Kauffman) set the tempo early on, setting fractions of :28.1, :58 and 1:26.4 before being overtaken at the top of the stretch. Malibu Kid (Dan Noble) came wide from fourth to win by 1-1/2 lengths in a new lifetime best of 1:55.4 over Castyourcrown (Josh Sutton). Fire Cross held on for third.

Owned by Bruce Soulsby, trainer Dalton Walls and Alan Weisenberg, Malibu Kid (Wishing Stone-Malibu Seelster) is now eight for 17 on the season with just under $50,000 in earnings.

The second division was won by Naughty Triumphant (Brett Miller) in 1:56.

Burrow (Noble) was sent to the front from post four to an opening quarter of :27.4. Blank Space AS (Chris Page) re-took heading under the line for the first time and led at the :58.1 half. Naughty Triumphant came first up, made the front by the 1:26.1 three-quarters and won by a length over Discreet Lover (Kauffman). Blank Space AS was third.

Naughty Triumphant (Triumphant Caviar-The Naughty Nanny) is trained by Steve Carter for the ownership group of Tammy Carter, Jacob Beard, Adam Friedland and Brian Carsey.

The third and final division went to Ilikedecupcakes (Hugh “Sandy” Beatty) in 1:57.3 on a track downgraded to good after rain hit the area off and on throughout the evening.

Leaving from post eight, Ilikedecupcakes went straight to the front through fractions of :28.3, :58.3 and 1:28.2. My Pal Sparky (Cam McCown) came from sixth to be second, while Newsboy (Aaron Merriman) was third.

Ilikedecupcakes (Dejarmbro-ML Cupcake) was bred by Douglas Millard and William Johnson II, the latter of which owns the colt. Ilikedecupcakes is now three for 12 in 2021 with $118,968 in lifetime earnings.

Eldorado Scioto Downs will host a special live race card on Labor Day Monday (Sept. 6) at 6:15 p.m. Racing will then continue Wednesday-Saturday.

The Saturday (Sept. 11) race card will feature the $125,000 (est.) Jim Ewart Memorial for 4-year-old and up horse and gelding pacers. The undercard will feature the Buckeye Stallion Series fourth leg for 2-year-old colt pacers and 3-year-old filly pacers.