Scioto: Analysis for Friday 10/23/26

BEST BET: DURATION (14th)

SPOT PLAY: ODDS ON CHESAPEAKE (5th)

Race 1: Open F&M Handicap - $10K GTD Pick 5

(6) FOXY HILL rolled down the road with a sharp score last weekend and has now won three of her last four starts in this class. She’s clearly the one to beat but certainly not a lock. (4) FEARLESS GINGER chased the top pick home for second the last two times they met. She’s in a good spot to either gun out and sit at worst a pocket trip or take a conservative route and perhaps get cover from (3) LYIN’ EYES, who ships in from Hoosier on a three-race win streak but might get stuck uncovered since she hasn’t shown much speed on the smaller ovals.

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Race 2: Non-winners $5,051 in last 4

(4) GOOMSTER could offer some sneaky value as he ships over from Hosier where he had to settle for second last time. This guy loves to win with 37 scores from 79 races, and I can see him taking advantage of a somewhat formless group. (6) ASIAN ZING drops down and has early speed. The tactics seem obvious but the form isn’t great. (2) PETERBILT and (3) FANATIC are inside speed players that have hit the board 40% of the time this year and north of that number for their careers. (5) ARCH HILL makes his second start back from vacation and does get the services of Dunn.

Race 3: Non-winners $11,501 in last 4 or 8 races-$70,000 life/Opt. $30,000 Clm. - $10K GTD Pick 4

(4) HUNTRESS hasn’t been racing poorly but can’t seem to get over the top lately. Driver change to Gingras here is interesting as he can sometimes wake one up. (5) DARLENE’S ANGEL has figured it out lately at The Meadows and the only concern is the three-plus weeks off. (3) FEAR DANIE has decent form from Yonkers and moves into a barn with a high win percentage; would be no shock. (6) HEY HEY MAMA is the best horse but one with some questions to answer in terms of fitness off her recent lines.

Race 4: Non-winners $8,001 in last 4 or 6 races-$55,000 life

(2) ZANE TRACE takes on older foes now that the Sire Stakes season is over. He seems like a good fit against a field that has been somewhat win-shy lately. (9) KANSAS BOY gets a drop in class and you have to think he’ll be firing out. Can he get position from the outside without working too hard? (4) GLOBAL SENSATION drops out of the same race and he had some traffic trouble as well. My main issue is his poor win record in 2026 and the fact that he’s come up short in lower classes during the year. (1) ADAMSVILLE ROAD owns a 1:51 4/5 win each of the last two years. The rest can’t say that.

Race 5: Open II Pace

(2) ODDS ON CHESAPEAKE tucked and was used uncovered last time before weakening some late. Four-year-old should unleash a big mile from the improved post. (6) ALWAYS B NAUGHTY exits the Breeders Crown and seems likely to find big early speed; threat. (1) ALWAYSBPUFFING IR is right there in this type of class week after week. That said, this group is a bit tougher. (5) CAVIART DELIGHT certainly can compete if she can get a smooth journey.

Race 6: Open Handicap

(8) DAME GOOD TIME ships down from Canada where he was on a roll before running into Emoticon Legacy and Logan Park; no shame in that. The outside post makes it tough but he can overcome. (6) FIFTY RIVERS has done good work since moving into this barn and even the loss last time was solid since he was second behind the classy Hillexotic. (2) PRINCE OF HONOR has good form and an inside post tonight; using underneath but an upset isn’t impossible.

Race 7: $700K Breeders Crown 2YO Filly Trot - $20K GTD Pick 4

(3) BLUE RANGER exhibited speed at both ends of the mile when setting a track record in her elimination. That mile showed a new dimension for a filly that seems to be improving with every start. (6) CLIMATIC HANOVER could be lost in the shuffle here despite finishing a good second last time and winning a G2 in her previous start. (2) BIRR CASTLE has yet to miss the board but I do worry about the trip here as plenty of outside speed could mean she’s coming first over or losing cover if the #1 goes quickly and she can’t clear.

Race 8: Non-winners $11,501 in last 4 or 8 races-$70,000 life/Opt. $30,000 Clm.

(3) SEISMIC STEP won here back in September and has been doing very good work since at Dayton. While he is seemingly up in class, he’s more than fast enough to take this field. (7) MACMORRIS HANOVER has been killing it on the fair tour of late but he’s no stranger to winning at this oval. Veteran only needs a decent trip to be involved. (2) MOOTER TOOTER won the Sire Stakes final and then had no trouble besting older foes last time. Is she this good? (4) VEL JAIL BONDSMAN adds Tetrick but has missed over a month of racing.

Race 9: $700K Breeders Crown 2YO Filly Pace

(10) ACEANDATEN seems worth a flyer at good odds here despite starting from post 10. She’s already had an experience in the second tier and hopefully she’s learned from it. Her form is great and there is no shame in losing to Jersey Bulldog. (4) JK LADY LIBERTY was perhaps a bit short after missing 24 days between starts. She rolled through the five-eighth tracks in Pennsylvania and may have an edge on those types of ovals. (7) COWBOY CANDY was super at Vernon and very adept on smaller tracks as well; one to beat. (8) SEASIDE UBEAUT has loads of ability but a tall test ahead from the outside post with plenty of speed to her inside.

Race 10: $700K Breeders Crown 2YO C&G Trot - $15K GTD Pick 5

(3) JIMDOUGIE ARMITAGE really didn’t have much of a chance in the elimination when finishing strong for third. The inside post this week provides plenty of options for a talented horse that will be nice odds. (6) WRONG SOUNDS RIGHT is without a doubt the horse to beat. With two early speed players to his inside, the trip may be difficult, but he’s overcome those obstacles in the past. (5) LIFETIME DREAMER has plenty of early speed and is riding a two-race winning streak; obvious player. (4) CARBON FIBER has ability as well and probably went one of his better miles last time, even if he still looks like a work in progress. The question is whether he can go to that next level this year.

Race 11: $700K Breeders Crown 2YO C&G Pace - $15K GTD Pick 4

(4) STARSTRUCK DREAMER turned in a powerhouse first-over performance to capture his elimination after being away from the races for 39 days. If he’s that good having missed time, how much better could he be with the start under his belt? His versatility only adds to the allure. (5) SHALOM HANOVER came up short having missed a month before his elimination. I expect him to step up but still prefer the top one. (1) BLAZIN LOU was about as good as a horse could be winning his elimination on his way to three straight scores. This is his toughest task to date and if he is up to it, he deserves the Crown.

Race 12: Non-winners 10 races or $80,000 life to be claimed for $47,500

(6) ZIDANE KEMP is clearly the fastest horse in the field if he minds his manners. In his first start for this barn he was able to leave the gate without stress and never looked back. Last time he was three wide the entire first turn and broke. (5) TARZAN did a 180 with Lasix added and may just be a new horse now. (1) VOLSTARITA and (2) JET WINGS were separated by just a half-length at the wire last week and both are contenders if the top two don’t bring their best.

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Race 13: Non-winners 10 races or $80,000 life to be claimed for $47,500

(2) TELLIT CANDY moved into a new barn last week and didn’t seem to enjoy driver Brett Miller’s tactics as she was antsy to go and he was insistent on a patient effort. She won, if you consider a break winning. I would imagine Miller learned something from that mile and we’ll see much better here. (5) SHANGRI LA HANOVER rolled down the road upon arrival in this class last time and is clearly the favorite. (1) RYLEE TOO was racing great until last week when she took the night off; rebounds? (7) STELLRMANIPULATION gets an interesting trainer change to Burke and you ignore that at your own risk.

Race 14: Non-winners $8,001 in last 4 or 6 races-$55,000 life/Opt. $20,000 Clm.

(8) DURATION doesn’t have much form on his lines competing in the Opens lately, but if you dig deeper he was a 1-5 winner in his last two tries in this class. You have to think early speed and a form reversal is imminent, especially considering a win wouldn’t bump him from the class. (10) GOLDEN MAGIC is a sharp horse that cleared a lower class 10 days ago. Barn is hitting at a crisp 26% this year. (4) LA MIKI N has speed and form for another solid barn. (9) CARNATION has turned the corner with two wins and a second since moving to the Morgan stable; post is the only issue.