Scioto: Favorites rule in Ohio Sires Stakes contests

There was little pari-mutuel drama in the two $50,000 Ohio Sires Stakes divisions for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Friday evening at Scioto Downs as 1-5 favorite Yankee Boots won the first flight and then 4-5 choice Bllack Hole delivered in the other grouping.

Yankee Boots (Dan Noble) took the lead past the 27 1/5 opening quarter, then gave a first-over Rose Run Ulysses (Aaron Merriman) the cold shoulder through a 55 1/5 half and a 1:22 2/5 three-quarters. Rose Run Ulysses continued to plug away on the outside around the far turn and through the lane, but Yankee Boots was too tough, winning by a length in 1:51 2/5. Bombay Hanover (Brett Miller) out-footed Rose Run Ulysses in the stretch to collect second.

A gelding by Yankee Cruiser, Yankee Boots is co-owned by trainer Steve Carter and breeders Peggy Carter, Chuck Grubbs, and Joseph Whitacre. Yankee Boots is now a 16-time winner in his career, and he has earned $284,820. Coming off a fourth-place finish against open company in the Milstein Memorial at Northfield, Yankee Boots paid $2.40 to win.

In the other section Gold Digger King (Kayne Kauffman) worked into the top spot around Cross Country (Luke Ebersole) beyond the 26 3/5 first quarter. Seattle Hanover (Chris Page) then brushed from third to first passing the 55 second half-mile marker, leaving Bllack Hole (Tyler Smith) first-over. Despite being left on the rim, Bllack Hole advanced to within half a length of Seattle Hanover at the 1:23 1/5 three-quarters, forged his way into the lead in the stretch, and went on to win by a length and a quarter in 1:50 4/5. B Like Cruiser (B. Miller) rallied for second, with Cross Country third.

Clarence Foulk trains Bllack Hole, a Mr Apples gelding, for owner L & L Stables. Bllack Hole, who has now won all five of his starts this year, has a record of 8-1-0 from nine trips behind the gate in his life, and he has pocketed $78,099. He returned $3.60 to win.