Columbus, OH – In Range freshmen took both trot divisions of the $150,000 Next Generation at Eldorado Scioto Downs, with Big Ranger setting a new track record for colt trotters, winning under a hand drive in 1:54 and Setyoursightshigh winning the filly trot division in 1:56.3. In the 2-year-old colt pace, Setyoursightshigh set a stakes record winning in 1:52.
Leaving from the rail, trainer/driver Ronnie Gillespie got Big Ranger away on top and comfortably led through fractions of :27, :57.1 and 1:25.2. Max The Mighty (What The Hill-Maxine The Mighty) and Aaron Merriman got the pocket trip and finished 3-1/4 lengths back in second; Rose Run Banker (In Range-Hot Chili Girl) and Chris Page were third.
Madison Global owns the $25,000 Ohio Selected Yearling Sale purchase who was bred by Spring Haven Farm. By In Range, Big Ranger is the first foal out of the Tactical Landing mare Big Blue Bird. Big Ranger prepped for the Next Generation by qualifying in 1:57.2 at Scioto on June 16.
The previous track record of 1:55.1 for 2-year-old colt trotters was set in 2022 by Black Magic and Chris Lems.
I’llbetyourboots and Chris Page tied the stakes record for the 2-year-old colt pace division of the Next Generation, winning in 1:52.
Page got I’llbetyourboots away second from post two, but immediately overtook the early leader, Sparks N Fire (Austin Hanners) to lead at the quarter in :27.3. Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. immediately followed suit with Crocodile Station and lead through the :55.4 half and 1:24.2 third quarter. It was a cavalry charge coming out of the last turn that led to four across the wire, with I’llbetyourboots coming out on top by a neck over Swelce (Summa Cum Laude) and Mike Wilder; Sparks N Fire (Catch The Fire) came back up the passing lane to be third.
Judy Roegner bred I’llbetyourboots, by Summa Cum Laude out of the Real Desire mare Age of Consent. Roegner was the trainer of record for the gelding who was third at the Paulding fair, and then qualified at Northfield in 1:57.4. On June 28 I’llbetyourboots won a non-winners of one event at Scioto in 1:52.2, after which Burke Racing, Weaver Burscemi, Knox Services and Larry Karr purchased I’llbetyourboots.
Act Fast, also driven and trained by Chris Page and Ron Burke, repectively, is the co-stakes record holder, having won the Next Generation back in 2022.
Setyoursightshigh won the first division of the Next Generation of the night, the 2-year-old filly trot, in 1:56.3.
Heading towards the :28.3 quarter, Setyoursightshigh got away fourth from post two. Godusa (Dave Palone) was setting the fractions and looked comfortable going past the :59.1 half but heading towards the 1:28.1 third-quarter pole went off-stride.
Setyoursightshigh took the lead in the stretch an won by a length over Demonic Niko (In Range) and Atlee Bender; Speedbewithyou (Mission Accepted) and Austin Hanners was third.
Setyoursightshigh, by In Range out of the Cantab Hall mare Special Interest, was a $50,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale purchase. The filly is trained by Marcus Melander for Heights Stable, Mantorp, AMG Stable and K Kjellgren Livs AB. Setyoursightshigh got ready for the Next Generation by finishing second in a Kentucky Sires Stakes event at Oak Grove, timed in 1:57.
The first leg of the Ohio Sires Stakes was historically over the 4th of July weekend, but when the Next Generation was started, in 2020 for pacers and 2021 for trotters, it became the first outing for Ohio-sired 2-year-olds. This year the first leg of the OHSS for 2-year-old trotters will be held July 12 at Scioto and for 2-year-old pacers on July 13 at Northfield Park.
The 90-day 2025 Eldorado Scioto Downs race meet runs through Saturday, September 13. Races are held Tuesday-Saturday with a 5:45 p.m. first post. A special late first post of 6:45 p.m. on Friday, September 12 will help accommodate horsemen attending the Ohio Selected Yearling Sale.
More information about racing at Scioto can be found on the Eldorado Scioto Downs website.