Miller drives three to Ohio State Fair triumphs
August 6, 2004,by Jason Zielinski, Publicity and Marketing Director, Scioto Downs
Columbus, OH — Scioto Downs welcomed Ohio State Fair Stakes action for the second straight night as two-year-old trotters and pacers showcased their talents under the lights. In the first division of the Oho State Trot, Whosethemaster and Brett Miller showed their dominance in stopping the timer first in 2:011 for the ownership of Umholtz Racing Stable Inc., Greg Martin, Michael Uhrin and Kennedy Sports Corp. The post time favorite drew the six hole and never looked back, trotting the mile gate-to-wire to score the three and a half length victory over Spit Happens and Dan Ross. The second win in four starts on the season by the Clair Umholtz trainee was a new lifetime best, and helped the gelding by Master Lavec climb over the $17,000 mark. Ed Keys Photo Anameripantragedy (#1) captured the third race on Scioto’s Thursday night program in 1:58.3 for Brett Miller. Miller grabbed an Ohio State Fair Stakes driving double in the first division of the State Fair Managers Pace for two-year-old fillies, this time aboard Anameripantragedy.
After the folding of the starting gate, the Broadway Jate filly, out of the ownership of Peter Pan Stables Inc., quickly grabbed the lead, and took the field to the opening quarter in :273. After cutting fractions of :571 and 1:27, the Virgil Morgan, Jr. trainee found herself sitting second behind Ally’s Stormn Girl heading into the final quarter. However, after coming home in :313, Miller and company found themselves in the winner’s circle after pacing the mile in 1:583. My Awesome Babe and Ken Holliday finished a nose back for second as the first win on the season by Anameripantragedy returned $9.00, 3.60 and 2.60 at the windows.
Trojan Hero and Rick Schaut got in on the State Fair action in the second division of the Ohio State Trot, as the duo combined to cross the wire first in 2:03 for owners Bruce and Patricia Soulsby and Rick Schaut.
Also trained by Schaut, the Carry The Message colt and post time favorite darted out of the seven hole after the start, and quickly moved to the front en route to the gate-to-wire victory. Midnight Judge and Chip Noble hung on for second, one and a quarter lengths behind the race winner.
The second win in five starts on the season by the Ohio-bred returned $4.80, 3.00 and 3.00 at the windows. The winning mark by Trojan Hero was a career best, and helped push his career earnings over the $25,000 plateau.
The third division of the Ohio State Trot saw Look Another Kevin and driver Kurt Sugg grab a winner’s circle photo after the two tickled the tape first in 2:011, a new career best.
Owned by Dean Davis and Brenda Sugg, the Ilooklikemymom gelding, also trained by Sugg, looked very impressive in the gate-to-wire victory, holding off Nathan My Boy and Jeff Fout at the wire by a head. Rose Run Gambler and driver Bob Harper rounded out the top three as Look Another Kevin returned $6.20, 5.40 and 3.20 on the win.
The fifth win in seven starts on the year by the freshman trotter helped him remain unbeaten in his last five starts.
Ed Keys Photo
Northmedo Tam (Aaron Merriman) took the second division of the State Fair Managers Pace at Scioto Downs.
Driver Aaron Merriman helped Northmedo Tam grab her third win in five starts on the season as the young reinsman guided the Stand Forever filly over the wire first in 1:581, thus equaling her lifetime best and taking the second division of the State Fair Managers Pace.
After drawing the two hole for the ownership of Northmedo Stable, the Mike Medors trainee found herself parked out and sitting fourth after the half. However, Merriman guided her towards the front at the top of the stretch, eventually holding off Miss Peabody’s Hat and Brett Miller who were placed third for making a break through the finish. Coco Tia and Del S. Miller finished third placed second, three and three-quarter lengths behind the race winner. The win helped the Ohio-bred climb over the $36,000 mark in lifetime earnings.
Although it wasn’t easy, a win is still a win as An Easy Victory and Brett Miller took the fourth and final division of the Ohio State Trot for two-year-olds in a new career best 2:01.
Starting out of the ownership of Gary Reynolds, the Big Victory gelding trailed frontrunner Master’s Light and Greg Grismore after the half, but got it together down “heartbreak lane” to score the neck victory over Master’s Light. Lead On Macpuff and Dave Hawk finished strong, but fell short for third, six and a half lengths behind the race winner.
The Dan Reynolds trainee won for the second time in four starts on the year, and returned $8.40, 4.60 and 4.00 at the windows.
In the third and final division of the State Fair Managers Pace, Annabelle Lou and Greg Grismore paced the mile in gate-to-wire fashion, stopping the teletimer first in a new career best 1:581.
The post time favorite cut fractions of :29, 1:004 and 1:301 before edging out One Wild Woman and driver Jeff Nisonger by a neck at the wire. Sand Gee Five and Brett Miller finished third, five lengths behind Annabelle Lou as the winner returned $3.40, 2.40 and 2.40 at the windows.
Owned by Jack Shearer, the Firm Belief filly won for the third time in four starts on the season, and helped push her career earnings over the $30,000 mark for trainer Jeff Cox.