from Scioto Downs Racino

Columbus, OH — Ohio Sires Stakes action highlighted the Fourth of July card at Scioto Downs.

The pacing and trotting 2-year old colts and geldings took their turns for a chance at the $40,000 purse in their respective divisions.

The Ohio Sires Stakes kicked off in race two on the 14-race card. It was a field of eight 2-year-old trotters. I Know My Chip and Jason Brewer prevailed in 2:02 for trainer Jim Dailey and owner Kim Dailey.

The son of Deep Chip-Madeline’s Crown started from post seven, but that didn’t deter Brewer from leaving for a good, early spot. The pair landed right in the two hole behind Cooter Dunn and Louis Bauslaugh. They trotted the first quarter in a moderate :30.2.

The pace quickened slightly as Cooter Dunn opened up on the rest of field and clocked the halfway point in :59.2. Going down the backside the pace-setter made a mistake and I Know My Chip inherited the lead and trotted past three-quarters in 1:31.1. The pair quickly sprinted away from the rest of the field and won the first division by 4-1/4 lengths. Neely Dunn Super was second and Marvelous Chip was a closing third for trainer and driver Marty Wollam.

Conrad photo

Gray Camo was a 1:56.1 winner in his OSS division.

The first division of pacing colts took to the stage in race three. A field of eight was spearheaded by 6-5 morning line favorite Gray Camo, who didn’t disappoint his supporters as he was victorious in 1:56.1. The son of Pine Valley-CG’s Gem is trained by Ron Burke for the connections of Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, Richard Suda and Jason Meilillo.

Scioto Downs leading driver Chris Page had the assignment from post two. The pair was unhurried in the early going. They tripped the first quarter in :29.2 and kept the pace moving on to the half in :58.2. That’s when Page pulled on the right line. They cleared to the front before the three-quarter pole, paced in 1:26.4. Nobles Finesse was sitting right on his back and gave him a run for his money down the stretch, but couldn’t quite catch Gray Camo. Born Villain and Jeremy Smith were a closing third.

Kick A Lot dominated his division for 2-year old trotters by 5-1/4 lengths in 2:01.2. Kick A Lot is a gelded son of Deep Chip-Mac’s Dream. He’s trained by Jeff Cox for owner and breeder Pius Soehnlen.

There was never an anxious moment in this race. Kurt Sugg drove the colt like he was the one to beat. They set the fractions of :31, 1:02 and 1:33 and cruised to an easy victory. Chips A Million and Chris Page for trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. were second best and Chips Starr for Jim Arledge Jr. was third.

Cornerback was impressive in his division for 2-year old pacers, setting his mark of 1:56.4. Brian Brown conditions the son of Feelin Friskie-Cornerstand for Stephen Sexton.

Chris Page used the two post to his advantage and left for command in the field of seven. The pair were sitting comfortable to a quarter time of :29 and then an even rated half-mile of :58.1. With no pressure from the rest of the field, they paced on to three- quarters in 1:27.1 and cruised to a 3-3/4 length victory.

The trotters were back in action in race 11 and Crowned For Glory was a minor upset winner in 2:03. Crowned For Glory is trained and driven by Ed Greeno Jr. for EG Trot LLC.

The gelded son of His Higness-Hey Kelsi kept his eye on the prize and never looked back. Greeno guided the colt to an easy quarter of :30 and then let him trot an easier second quarter in :31.4. With the young, green colts making their miscues, the pair just trotted along leisurely and clocked the three-quarter mark in 1.33.1. Greeno and Crowned For Glory went to work in the final quarter, trotted in :29.4, when the pacing bred trotter Frisk The Town came out of the pocket spot and started to close in on the leader. The battle down the stretch came to a hault when Frisk The Town made a break and secured the win for Crowned For Glory. Frisk The Town for trainer and driver Ammon Hershberger was second and Lanterns Chip completed the trifecta.

Ollie Pop capped off the Ohio Sires Stakes action in race 12 with a 1:57 performance. Ollie Pop is a bay colt by Feelin Friskie-Downwyn Kate and is owned by Clyde Perfect.

Ollie Pop was driven by Aaron Merriman for trainer Ron Potter and started from post two in the field of seven. Merriman steered the colt to an early third spot position. The quick opening fraction of :28.4 left Merriman content to sit tight. They paced on to the half-mile mark in :57.4, set by Indian Spirit and Kyle Ater. Ollie Pop wheeled out to be first up just after the half and would have to work for his first win. They paced down to three-quarters in 1.27, but the colt dug in down the stretch and was rewarded for his hard work and valiant effort. Nashville Bound for driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. was pacing up a storm to grab the place spot and Western Coby was third.

Live racing continues on Tuesday (July 8) with a first race post time of 6:30 p.m.