Scioto: Little Rocket Man impresses in Jim Ewart Memorial blowout
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It was a long day for driver David Miller, but he finally found the winner’s circle at Eldorado Scioto Downs on Saturday night when he guided Little Rocket Man on a first-over grind to victory in the $250,000 Jim Ewart Memorial. Miller got the call from trainer Ken Rucker, took the lines on the 8-year-old by Rockin Image for the Ewart and had no trouble winning in 1:48 with the well-traveled and oft-winning veteran.
Miller left with Little Rocket Man but was content to tuck in along the pylons in the early stages as I Did It Myway wrested control from Charlie May in the early stages and Buzzsaw Russ and Yannick Gingras used a second-tier post to keep position along the pylons. Miller was fourth at the quarter as I Did It Myway and Matt Kakaley led the field through a 26 3/5 opening fraction.
With the pace slowing slightly in the second quarter, Miller had Little Rocket Man in motion well before the second turn but was still off the leader through a 53 3/5 first-half clocking. Backstreet Shadow and Tyler Buter attempted to track cover second-over with Bythemissal and Ken Hanover in the outer flow as well.
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The pace accelerated through the third quarter as Little Rocket Man gained even-terms with the lead at three quarters in 1:20 3/5 and then just hit another gear, powering to the front in the stretch and making the race clearly for second. Gingras found room with Buzzsaw Russ along the pylons, and the 4-year-old helped complete the all Indiana-sired exacta by Rockin Image with a solid finish. Charlie May was able to get off the cones and secure the third spot in the mile.
"I lost my first seven drives today," said Miller in the winner's circle, going back to his efforts in the afternoon at Yonkers Raceway. "He was tremendous. Around the far turn he felt real comfortable and I was just sitting on him."
For Little Rocket Man it was his 64th career victory and 10th overall in 2024 for owners Russell Beeman and Jack Freeman. As the 6-5 public choice Little Rocket Man returned $4.40 to win.