Columbus, OH – Buckeye Stallion Series action continued with the third leg for 2-year-old colt pacers on Wednesday (Aug 24) at Eldorado Scioto Downs. Four divisions hosted 38 freshmen completing for a total of $70,000. Driver Aaron Merriman was hot in the sulky, winning three of the four BSS divisions.

The first $17,500 division went to Shield The Rock (Josh Sutton) in a new lifetime mark of 1:54.3. The Yankee Cruiser gelding easily cleared the frontend after pulling three-wide into the final turn. Despite going off at 9-1, Shield The Rock bested TT Jericho (Jeff Nisonger) with Barley Mischievous (Kurt Sugg) finishing third.

Monaco Hanover scores first lifetime victory in the final and fastest Buckeye Stallion Series for 2-year-old colt pacers in 1:53.1. Conrad photo.

In nine seasonal starts, the Dustin Pfeifer trainee has hit the board seven times. With four wins under his belt, Shield The Rock has earned $24,491 for owner Paul Pfeifer.

He’s Half Naked (Merriman) made it five in a row, taking the second division in 1:53.4. Leaving from post five, He’s Half Naked was shuffled to the back of the pack. The gelded son of Western Vintage made a last-ditch effort on the backside and found himself five-wide through the final turn. The freshman dug in until the last stride to stop the clock in a new lifetime mark. Flyin Fitz (Brett Miller) was second while Tan Man (Tyler Smith) completed the trifecta.

The win marks the second BSS leg victory for He’s Half Naked. The gelding has bankrolled upwards of $22,000 in six lifetime starts. Mike Polhamus conditions for Golden Goose Stables and Matt Rowe.

Koa (Merriman) scored his first lifetime win in the next division. Unphased by the second tier start in post ten, the Downbytheseaside colt settled in fourth on the rail. Koa found cover behind Trooper L headed to the half. With a final surge in the stretch, the 11-1 Koa cruised across the wire in 1:54. Tropper L (Hank LeVan) held on for second with Special Dragon (Tony Hall) rallying for third.

Koa has tallied one win, three second place finishes, and one third place finish in five seasonal starts. Merv Chupp trains the homebred for Chupp Racing Stable.

In the fastest and final division of the night, Monaco Hanover (Merriman) secured his first lifetime victory in 1:53.1. The son of Well Said made his move as soon as the dust settled. Hitting another gear, 7-1 Monaco Hanover blew past the field and opened up by lengths. Downbythecreekside (Sugg) surged down the stretch for second while The Mandalorian (Sutton) finished third.

Trained by Tyler Bates, Monaco Hanover has earned over $20,000 in seven seasonal starts for owner Michael Foster.

Three Buckeye Stallion Series divisions for 3-year-old filly trotters will highlight the racing program on Thursday (Aug 25) at Eldorado Scioto Downs. For more information on the facility and live racing season, visit the Eldorado Scioto Downs website.