from Scioto Downs

Columbus, OH — Saturday (July 18) marks the fifth annual Back to the Track event at Scioto Downs. The 14-race card kicks off at 6:30 p.m., but the evening’s festivities start before the first race even steps foot on the track.

At 5 p.m., track handicapper Steve Carpenito will host a handicapping session for beginners, as well as giving his expert picks for the night’s card. At 5:45 p.m. drivers Jason Brewer, Chris Page, Jeremy Smith, Josh Sutton and Randy Tharps will head over for an autograph session and meet and greet with race fans.

The first 500 people who buy a live racing program will receive various complimentary Scioto Downs logo items.

Throughout the evening additional activities such as paddock tours, Dunk a Driver, t-shirt tosses and “Greet a Steed” (meeting retired racehorses owned by Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of Ohio members) will take place.

The card is highlighted with the top two Ohio sired 3-year-old filly trotters in the state facing off in race two. Like Old Times (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) will start from post nine, but has already earned $62,875 in eight starts, with seven wins, this season. The Don McKirgan trained Chip Chip Hooray filly will attempt to once again best Lisa Jane and Ryan Stahl for the second week in a row, though the pair was only a half-length behind the last time they squared off on July 3.

The $20,000 Open II (race eight) has Sante Fe Beachboy (Wrenn) starting from post nine as the 4-1 second choice after 3-1 favorite Visible Gold (Page), who finished second last week in the same class.

Also on tap for the evening is a $40,000 claimer and a $7,500 claimer, which proves to be one of the more competitive classes and saw only a 1-3/4 length spread between the first eight finishers last week.

Scioto Downs’ live racing season runs through Saturday (Sept. 12), Ohio Super Night. Post time for Tuesday cards is at 2 p.m., while Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday cards go off at 6:30 p.m.