by Dean A. Hoffman, for Scioto Downs

Columbus, OH — Scioto Downs will kick off its 2010 season on Friday morning, April 30, with 17 qualifying races.

Virgil Morgan, Jr., perennial leading trainer at the Columbus track, will send out a host of his stable’s stars, headed by Mypanmar p,5,1:48.3s, a 9-year-old stallion with earnings of almost $1.4 million. Dan Noble will drive him in race 12.

The 1:55 trotting mare B V’s Sister, a career winner of $378,337, will be guided by Chris Page, Scioto’s leading driver last season, in race nine.

Ohio champion pacing filly Hawk’s Cry Electra, also from the Morgan Stable, races for Noble in race 15. She won in 1:54.3f last year and banked $97,800.

Many top sophomore trotters and pacers, stars of the upcoming Ohio Sires Stakes season, will also be in action on Friday morning.

Qualifiers start at 10:30 a.m.

Scioto Downs opens for racing on Friday, May 7.