Scioto: Iam Independent matches track record in Ohio State Fair action

This year's Ohio State Fair races kicked off on Thursday night at Eldorado Scioto Downs with 2-year-old fillies of both gaits in action.

The star of the show on Thursday was Iam Independent (Chris Page), who won her $54,500 split for trotters in 1:55 1/5 to equal the track record for the division. A daughter of Triumphant Caviar bred by Marion Beachy, Iam Independent tallied for the second time overall and has now pocketed $73,000 for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Hatfield Stables, Weaver Bruscemi LLC. and Knox Services Inc.

Page and Burke also teamed up to win the first $58,000 grouping for the pacers with Seaside Diva, who converted a second-over journey into a 1:51 2/5 decision. Seaside Diva has won half of her three starts and put away $111,750 thus far for owners/breeders Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC., Knox Services Inc. and Let It Ride Stables Inc.

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Also scoring in trotting splits were Justasiam As (by Lionhunter and bred by owner ACL Stuteri AB) in 1:57 3/5 for driver Tony Hall and trainer Anette Lorentzon, and Roxanna (by What The Hill and bred by co-owner Sandra Burnett) in 1:56 1/5 for driver Aaron Merriman and co-owner/trainer Chris Beaver.

First-crop sire Lather Up took the other two sections for pacers, with Rose Run Zoey (bred by Rose Run Farm) scoring in 1:51 3/5 for driver Tyler Smith, trainer Ryan Miller and owner Miller Racing Stable Inc., and Beautiful Lather (bred by Galliers Racing LLC.) tallying in 1:52 4/5 for driver Aaron Merriman, co-owner/trainer Tye Loy and co-owner David Wills, Richard Coad and Douglas Gregory.