Columbus, OH — Daughters of Catch The Fire took two of the five Buckeye Stallion Series divisions for 3-year-old pacing fillies Friday (June 20) at Eldorado Scioto Downs.
Prolific Fire took the first division in hot fashion, coming three-wide from last at the three-quarter pole to win in 1:51.2. Austin Hanners eased Prolific Fire off the gate from post eight and sat chilly until the last quarter when they made their move going into the last turn. Midway through the last turn, Prolific Fire was four-wide and used the momentum to slingshot to the lead and win by a half length over Trunk Bay Hanover (Brett Miller); Angel in Paradise (Justin Irvine) was third. Prolific Fire was a $20,000 Ohio Selected Yearling Sale purchase who has now made $155,875 lifetime in 15 starts. Todd Luther trains the filly for Greg Luther Racing.
The other victorious Catch The Fire filly was Survivin Fire, driven by Dan Noble for trainer Mike Hitchcock. Survivin Fire got a perfect two-hole trip and came up the inside to win by a half length over Odds On Collateral (Peter Wrenn); Seaside Lover (Chris Page) was third. Owned by William Hartt, Survivin Fire was a $24,000 purchase at the Buckeye Classic Yearling Sale and has now earned $56,400 in 18 lifetime starts.
Two other divisions went a speedy 1:51.2, with Bubblles Out (Page) and Romeo’s Juliet (Miller), both homebreds, winning their respective races.
Bubbles Out got parked leaving from post six, settled in third midway through the first turn, and made a move to the front before the half. Leading the rest of the mile, Bubblles Out won by 1-3/4 lengths over a fast-closing Lorna Dune (Miller) and Sea Her Rule (Trevor Smith). The Trish Foulk trainee did not start at two, but in nine starts so far this season, Bubblles Out has earned $52,720. Foulk Stables owns and bred the Downbytheseaside filly.
Romeo’s Juliet, by Rodeo Romeo, took the third division by a half length over Maddie’s Delite (Aaron Merriman) and Seaside Wishes (Kayne Kauffman). Leaving from post five to get away fourth, Romeo’s Juliet came first-up at the half and powered her way on the outside to win. Steve Bauder trains Romeo’s Juliet, owned and bred by Oompa’s Farm and Robert Mondillo, who now has two wins in 12 lifetime starts and $23,920 in earnings.
The last division went to Judge Me Again, who won by two lengths in 1:51.3. Smith eased the Western Vintage filly off the gate from post two to settle in fifth. Sitting in until the top of the stretch, Judge Me Again found room late to come up the passing lane and get the victory for trainer Chris Beaver, who co-owns the filly with Jim Burnett, Leo Fleming and Tim Homan. A $24,000 purchase at the Buckeye Classic sale, Judge Me Again now has $34,962 earned in 16 lifetime starts.
Racing at Scioto continues Saturday (June 21) with another 16-race card, starting at 5:45 p.m. The feature race of the evening is the 11th race, the $27,000 Open Pace.
The 90-day 2025 Eldorado Scioto Downs race meet runs through Saturday, September 13. Races are held Tuesday-Saturday with a 5:45 p.m. first post. A special 3:15 p.m. post time will be on July 4 and 6:45 p.m. on Sept. 12 to help accommodate horsepeople attending the Ohio Selected Yearling Sale. More information about racing at Scioto can be found on the Eldorado Scioto Downs website.