Scioto: Downbytheseaside fillies go two-for-two in Ohio Sires Stakes
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McSeaside and Dragon By The Sea, both by sire Downbytheseaside, were victorious in the two $55,000 Ohio Sires Stakes flights for 3-year-old filly pacers that were featured on Friday night's program at Eldorado Scioto Downs.
Driven by Chris Page, McSeaside showed speed from the outside post nine and drove on two-wide to take the top spot away from Seaside Tina (Jeremy Smith) past the 26 1/5 opening quarter. From there, McSeaside kept control through a 54 1/5 half and a 1:22 2/5 three-quarters, successfully handled a first-over try by Somwherunderheavn (Austin Hanners) in the backstretch and around the final bend, and kicked away in the lane to score by two lengths in 1:51. Absolute Euphoria (Brett Miller) rallied in the passing lane after an inside trip and was second, and Seaside Tina wound up third.
Bred by Andray Farm and Sergent Stables LLC., McSeaside is trained by Ron Burke for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Beasty LLC., J&T Silva Stables, LLC., and Knox Services Inc. Last year's Ohio Sires Stakes champion, McSeaside has eight wins, four seconds, and two thirds from 21 starts, has now earned $454,414 and paid $9.60 to win as the 7-2 second choice.
In the other section Onederfulbeach (Aaron Merriman), but so did Hysterical (Josh Sutton) to her outside, and Hysterical wrestled command away from Onederfulbeach beyond the 26 1/5 quarter. When Hysterical cleared, that left Kassagi (Sam Widger) uncovered on the outside, and Hysterical opted to leave her out to the 53 4/5 half and into the backstretch, with Stormy Serena (Peter Wrenn), Angel Hill (Page) and Dragon By The Sea (Tyler Smith) moving out to follow cover.
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Kassagi pressed on gamely and was able to forge her way by Hysterical nearing the 1:21 3/5 three-quarters, with Page sending Angel Hill three-wide from the behind the stalled-out Stormy Serena and Smith fanning Dragon By The Sea four-wide on the final bend. They had ground to make up on Kassagi, though, as she opened up a gap on the turn and was clear entering the lane.
It looked like for much of the stretch that Kassagi would get a hard-fought win given her extended outside journey to the front, but it was not to be, as Dragon By The Sea kept charging with every stride and was able to get by Kassagi coming to the wire, winning by a neck in 1:50 3/5. Angel Hill, who dipped inside into the passing lane and the top of the stretch, wound up third.
Jeff Smith trains Dragon By The Sea, who was bred by Greg Pearson, for owner John Van Horn. She has a summary of 7-5-1 from 14 outings, pushed her bankroll to $156,130 and returned $4.80 to win as the 7-5 favorite.