by Dean A. Hoffman, for Scioto Downs

Columbus, OH — Sing Jesse Sing won a division of the Ohio Governor’s Cup by a nose on Friday night at Scioto, allowing driver Mike Wilder to breathe a huge sigh of relief.

Scioto Downs photo

Surclasser surges to the wire for driver Chris Page to win a division of the Ohio Governor’s Cup in 1:57.1. Favored Buckeye Man (#4) finished third.

“I got him beat the last time he raced at Scioto,” said Wilder after his colt beat My D Sammy in 1:58.1. “He had more trot this time. We trotted home in :28.1 tonight.”

Sing Jesse Sing’s prior defeat at Scioto came on July 4 just after his victory in the $375,390 Goodtimes at Mohawk Raceway. In that race he was upset by Wolf Creek Ted.

Last night at Scioto, Wilder put Sing Jesse Sing on the lead halfway through the race and then barely withstood the challenge of My D Sammy.

It was the fifth win in eight starts this season for owners Burke Racing, Slaughter Racing, Weaver-Bruscemi, and Baldachino. Ron Burke is the trainer.

Other favorites in the Governor’s Cup divisions didn’t fare so well. Heavily favored Wolf Creek Ted went down to defeat in his split as Ohio Frontier rebuffed his challenge and Sharp Edge trotted past both of them in the stretch to score the upset in 1:57. Chip Noble drove for trainer Danny Collins and owner Robert Kauffman.

Buckeye Man was the favorite in his Governor’s Cup split, but leading driver Chris Page and Surclasser surged past Too Good To Pass and Buckeye Man in the stretch to score in 1:57.1. Chad Williamson trains Surclasser for Charles W. Miller and he scored his sixth win in 14 starts this season.

Freshmen trotters were in the spotlight in three divisions of the Ohio State Trot and the first division went to J J Hall, driven to an easy-does-it win for driver Chip Noble, trainer Scott Mogan, and owner Doug Millard. His time was in 2:00.1 and he’s now unbeaten in two career starts.

DJ John Boy triumphed in his split in 2:02.3 as Dan Noble gave him a two-hole trip behind pacesetting Rose Run Marcus. Jim Arledge trains the winner and co-owns him with Jean McKee. It was his second win in four lifetime starts.

Brewing Master triumphed in a division that saw three of the six starters eliminate themselves by breaking stride. Brewing Master stayed trotting in third place for most of the mile, then overtook Count Howie in the homestretch to win in 2:02.2. Irwin nosed out Count Howie for second. Scott Cox drove the winner for owner Charles Branthoover and trainer Robert Lippiatt. It was his second win in his career.

The Buckeye State’s best sophomore pacing fillies put on a great show in their divisions of the First Lady Pace. Lullaby Til Dawn scored in the evening opener by upsetting Hawk’s Cry Electra with a 1:53.3 win for Dan Noble. She dueled with favored Hawk’s Cry Electra during a fast third quarter, then drew off to win by 4-3/4 lengths.Jim Arledge trains the fast filly for Spring Mill Venture.

The other split of the First Lady went to Rub Thing and driver Chris Page and she sat third for much of the mile, then attacked leading Lovely Dawn with a brush that swept her to the front. Favored Up Front Cruiser finished second. Rub Thing is owned by trainer Virgil Morgan, Jr.