Scioto Downs: Ewart Memorial taken by Split The House

Defending Breeders Crown Open Pace champion Split The House had only one win this year, that coming in the Ben Franklin consolation back in June at Pocono, but he worked out a good trip and came on in the lane to take the $250,000 Jim Ewart Memorial for free-for-allers on Saturday night at Scioto Downs.

Driven by Aaron Merriman, Split The House stepped away sharply from post six and led the field to the opening quarter in 26 2/5. Nuclear Dragon (Dan Noble), who got away well from a trailing post ten, drove at Split The House at that point, and Merriman would release him to command.

Nuclear Dragon would go on to reach the half in 53 seconds and the three-quarters in 1:20 4/5, but Split The House slipped up the passing lane in the stretch and out-kicked Nuclear Dragon to win by a neck in 1:49 1/5. Filibuster Hanover (Tony Hall), who tucked in third from post nine early, held his position, and McWicked (David Miller) could only manage a dead-heat for fourth with Western Fame (Tyler Smith).

"I talked to Brett (Miller) and Chris (Oakes) when they asked me to drive this horse," said Merriman. "They both said this horse was unbelievable last week (in the Canadian Pacing Derby), and they thought he could have won the race if he would have gotten out. The horse really, really felt good behind the gate, and I sent him out of there. Danny's horse has been unbelievable here, and he was a great horse to follow."

Oakes trains Split The House, a 6-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding, for owner Crawford Farms Racing. This was his 14th career victory, and he has now pocketed $913,179. A 5-1 offering, Split The House paid $12.20 to win.