by Dean A. Hoffman, for Scioto Downs

Columbus, OH — Scioto Downs kicks off its stakes season on Memorial Day by hosting five divisions of Ohio Sires Stakes for sophomore colts and geldings. There will be three divisions of trotters and a pair for pacers.

The trotters get the action started in the third race as Whotooksam heads a field of seven and is pegged at 5-2 in the morning line. Ray Paver trains and drives and he’s got two wins in four tries this season with a mark of 1:57.3f at Scioto. Second choice is Countmymuscles while Jailhouse Juice is picked for third.

It’s Jesse Time gets the nod in the second split for trotters, which is contested as the eighth race. Aaron Merriman drives for Jerry Lighthill and he’s got a win and three second-place finishes in five starts in 2012. His best time is 1:59f. Blazing Future is picked to finish second while Master’s Fly Trap is third in the morning line.

The final division of Ohio Sires Stakes for trotters goes as race 10 on the 12-race holiday card. Count Me In, trained by Marty Wollam and driven by Chip Noble, is the early favorite. He’s got one victory in three races this season and is pegged at 2-1 odds in the morning line. Cody Coy is second choice and Rock N Jesse third choice.

In the first split for sophomore pacers the morning line choice is Feelin Cornered with 2-1 odds. Ohio Hall of Famer Chip Noble trains and will steer the son of Feelin Friskie. He has a win and a second in two starts this season. His best time is 1:56h. Second choice is Jetstream Friskie while Friskies Cheapsuit gets third in the morning line.

Certainly the second division for pacers should be quite a battle as Noble Trick at 2-1 and Gun Show at 5-2 dominate this race from the oddsmaker’s perspective. Aaron Merriman drives Noble Trick for trainer Ron Steck while Dan Noble will handle the reins on Gun Show for trainer Jim Arledge, Jr.

The holiday post time is 1 p.m.