Scioto: Black Magic conjures up a track record in Ohio Sires Stakes

Black Magic lowered the track record for a 2-year-old colt trotter at Scioto Downs to 1:55 1/5 in winning Friday evening's single $75,000 Ohio Sires Stakes race for the group.

Piloted by Chris Lems and starting from post two, Black Magic raced on the inside in third and fourth while Jet Hill (Kurt Sugg), Rumble Strips (Kayne Kauffman), and A Real Legend (Don Irvine Jr.) all took a turn on the point through panels of 27 4/5, 55 2/5, and 1:24 4/5.

Rumble Strips, who pulled out of the pocket heading to three-quarters, wrestled the lead away on the outside from A Real Legend on the last turn and then dug in gamely through the lane, but Black Magic, fanned out widest by Lems, had the best kick in the stretch and got up to win by half a length. Jet Hill also got by Rumble Strips late to finish in the second position.

The prior standard for a rookie colt trotter at the five-eighths-mile oval had been 1:55 2/5 set by Caviar Gold a year ago.

A Full Count-Glisten Hanover colt, Black Magic is trained by Steve Cross for owners Richard Gutnick, Tom Pontone, and Joseph Lozito Jr. Acquired for $65,000 at last year's Ohio Selected Jug Sale, Black Magic has a record of 6-1-1 from eight trips behind the gate, pushed his bankroll to $179,850, and paid $15.60 to win as the 6-1 fourth choice.

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Record $92K+ Pick 8 carryover & $10K Pick 5 guaranteed pool at Scioto on Saturday

Alongside a rich program featuring both the $200,000 Charlie Hill Memorial Trot and $200,000 Jim Ewart Memorial Pace, Eldorado Scioto Downs will have a record $92,000-plus Pick 8 carryover and a $10,000 Pick 5 guaranteed pool for Saturday (September 10).

Eldorado Scioto Downs's unique $1 Pick 8 will boast a carryover of $92,431. Starting in race two, the wager will have a 15 percent takeout on new money. If no one selects all eight winners, 50 percent of the net pool will carry over into the following race day while the remaining 50 per cent will be paid out in consolation to best ticket.

In 85 days of racing, the Pick 8 has been hit a total of eight times.

Beginning in race five, the $10,000 guaranteed total pool for the 50-cent Pick 5 includes a $2,418 carryover. The wager will offer a reduced takeout rate of only 14 percent. Free HarnessEye PP's for the Pick 5 can be found here.

DRF Bets is also offering an eight percent rebate on all wagers made on Saturday's card at Scioto. More information on that promotion is located here.

First post of the 15-race card is 3:15 P.M.

--carryover reporting courtesy of OHHA--