Columbus, OH — Statistically, more winners leave from post five than any other position at Eldorado Scioto Downs. Friday’s (June 17) card proved no different with six wins boasting the number five saddle pad.

Penpaperpaige (Tyler Smith) took advantage of that post five sweet spot, upsetting in the featured $30,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace in 1:52.

Penpaperpaige upset in the featured $30,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace in 1:52. Conrad photo.

The 5-year-old mare by Pet Rock was overlooked at 9-1 odds. Seemingly trapped for most of the mile, Penpaperpaige was fifth on the rail at the top of the stretch. With a final surge through the Lightning Lane, the mare scored her first 2022 victory by a neck. Snobbytown finished second while Delitfulcatherin N completed the trifecta.

Although this was her first win of the season, Penpaperpaige is no stranger to the winner’s circle. In 45 lifetime starts, she has won 17 and hit the board an additional 21 times. Trained by Jeff Smith and owned by Shirley LeVin, Penpaperpaige is approaching a half million in career earnings with $477,201 in the bank.

Refined (Mitch Cushing) took the $30,000 Open Trot in 1:53.3, also from post five. After a tough start last week, the 6-year-old Uncle Peter mare reclaimed her Open title in gate-to-wire fashion. Predator And Prey was second and Kings County finished third.

Refined has now won half of her 10 seasonal starts and bankrolled $89,300 this year. She is conditioned by Virgil Morgan Jr. for Joyce McClelland and Larry Wills.

The sweet spot draw also gave driver Josh Sutton the upper hand on Scioto’s 16-race program. Sutton won three in a row leaving the gate from post five. He ended the night with six wins total.

Racing returns Saturday (June 18) at 3:15 p.m. with 16 races scheduled. For more information on the facility and live racing season, visit the Eldorado Scioto Downs website.