Columbus, OH — For the second straight week, the $22,000 Horses and Geldings Open Pace proved to be a showstopper at Eldorado Scioto Downs, with Gold Digger King now 2-for-2 to start the summer season.

Gold Digger King powered on to win by a half-length, stopping the timer in 1:49.2. Conrad photo.

Gold Digger King (Tyler Smith) went straight to the top with Century Farroh (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) parked from the eight hole to a :27 opening quarter. Bllack Hole (Brett Miller) came roaring up three-wide as the trio went under the line for the first time and they tripped the beam in :53.4 to the half.

Gold Digger King powered on to win by a half-length over those two, stopping the timer in 1:49.2. The win set a new lifetime mark for the 5-year-old son of Pet Rock who has now gone over $309,000 in lifetime earnings. Scott Mogan does the training for owner Linda Van Camp.

Going off at odds of 6-1, Gold Digger King paid $15.80 to win.

Bolstered by numerous carryovers, Scioto has seen great wagering numbers to start off the 2021 racing season.

“Last year we debuted 100 percent carryovers for our superfecta, Super High Five, and Pick-3, Pick-4 and Pick-5 races,” said Eldorado Scioto Downs Director of Racing Jason Roth. “A couple of those carryovers these last two weeks allowed us to partner with the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program and offer guaranteed wagers.”

Opening week handle was up 225 percent over 2019 numbers and increased more than 261 percent for the second week. The first week was hampered by short fields, rainy weather and less than full race cards, however there was a big turnaround in the second week following the horsemen transitioning to the Scioto race schedule; full fields and 14-15 races a night became standard.

Live racing continues Tuesday-Saturday at 6:15 p.m. until closing night on Saturday (Sept. 18). View the entire 2021 racing schedule here.