Scioto: Charlie May converts from second-over in Jim Ewart Memorial

Charlie May turned a second-over journey into a 1:48 3/5 triumph in the $200,000 Jim Ewart Memorial for open pacers on Saturday at Scioto Downs.

Driven by Brett Miller, Charlie May got away in fifth while Tellmeaboutit (Dan Noble) blazed through opening-half fractions of 25 1/5 and 53 4/5. Miller then moved Charlie May to outside heading to the half and picked up cover from 1-9 favorite Allywag Hanover (Todd McCarthy), who vacated the pylons from third.

Tellmeaboutit managed to hold onto the lead through a 1:20 3/5 three-quarters and continued to fend off an under-a-drive Allywag Hanover on the last turn. Meanwhile, Miller fanned Charlie May out three-wide on the bend, and he was tracked by This Is The Plan (Yannick Gingras).

In the stretch Charlie May hit the front, and although This Is The Plan finished up well to his outside, Charlie May hit the wire a quarter of a length ahead of him in a 1:48 3/5 mile. Allywag Hanover had to settle for third, followed by Backstreet Shadow and Tellmeaboutit.

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"This is probably the best horse I've ever driven," Miller said in an interview with the USTA. "When he's on his game, he can go with anybody, there's no doubt about it.

"The race set up perfect for us. It was a wicked-fast first quarter, and then to pick cover from Allywag, I couldn't have drawn it up any better."

Steve Carter trains Charlie May, a 4-year-old gelding by McArdle, for owner/breeder Don Tiger. This was his 23rd win from 45 lifetime starts, he has now banked $1,534,735, and he returned $11.40 to win as the 9-2 second choice.