Scioto Downs: Lather Up bounces back in Ohio Sires Stakes score

Lather Up rebounded after breaking stride in last Saturday night's Carl Milstein Memorial at Northfield Park to easily win the second of two $50,000 Ohio Sires Stakes tests for sophomore pacing males on Saturday night at Scioto Downs.

Driven by Montrell Teague, the North America Cup champion got away third at the 27 1/5 opening quarter, then came to the outside and took control passing the hot 54-second half-mile marker. Lather Up would then pace through three-quarters in 1:22 1/5, and he opened up through the lane, winning by 3 1/2 lengths over Sectionline Bigry (Aaron Merriman). Dragonology (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) came in third.

Clyde Francis trains Lather Up, a colt by I'm Gorgeous, for owners/breeder Gary and Barbara Iles. This was Lather Up's 13th career victory, and he has now earned $601,465. Lather Up was sent off at 1-9 and paid $2.20 to win.

The other Ohio Sires Stakes tilt went to Bounding Dragon (Dan Noble) in 1:51 1/5. Bounding Dragon popped the pocket to take the lead beyond the 26 3/5 first quarter, and then reached the half in 54 3/5 and the three-quarters in 1:22 3/5. Seeing Eye Single (Wrenn Jr.), who pulled first-up from third past the half, battled side-by-side with Bounding Dragon through the final quarter, but he just couldn't go by, falling a head short at the line. Drew The Dragon (Merriman) collected third.

The victorious Dragon Again colt is trained by Mike Roth for owners Alan Keith, Carl Atley, and Melanie Atley. Bounding Dragon is now an eight-time winner in his life, and he pushed his bankroll to $201,509. He was the 4-5 choice and returned $3.60 to win.