Scioto: Miki And Minnie, Lou Hill deliver in invitational paces

Hall of Fame driver David Miller picked up the drive behind Miki And Minnie and gave the 4-year-old mare a perfect steer to capture Saturday's $100,000 Cleopatra Invitational for older pacing mares at Scioto Downs in a sizzling 1:48 3/5 mile.

Sent off as the heavy favorite, Miki And Minnie got away fifth in the early stages as Always B Naughty and Austin Hanners made two aggressive moves through a 26 second first quarter to secure command. Second choice Three Times Bettor left and took a tuck in third for Chris Page.

Approaching the half, Miller moved Miki And Minnie and flushed the cover of Three Times Bettor. With a half in 54 seconds, the pace picked up noticeably on the backstretch as Always B Naughty protected the lead and Three Times Bettor applied pressure, reaching three-quarters in 1:21 1/5. Miller sent Miki And Minnie three-deep late on the final turn, and the Chris Ryder-trained mare took off and rolled home powerfully. Yannick Gingras steered Louies Girl N from well back in the pack for the place spot with Three Times Bettor settling for third.

It was the fifth win in seven starts this year for the Chris Ryder-trained mare owned by Craig Henderson, Robert Mondillo and Lawrence Minowitz. As the 1-5 public choice, Miki And Minnie returned $2.60 to win.

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Lou Hill and driver Yannick Gingras took control of the companion $100,000 #Senditin Invitational for the boys shortly following the quarter and marched on to a solid victory, pacing the mile in 1:48 2/5 for his second straight stakes victory. The Per Engblom-trained 5-year-old won for the ninth time in 14 starts this year.

Dandy Ideal and Chris Page left strongly inside of Lou Hill to take quick control of the race but yielded past the 26 3/5 opening fraction. Prince Hal Hanover, driven by David Miller, tucked briefly on the first turn but got underway with five-eighths remaining, going first-over after being flushed by Best Chip and Tim Tetrick. Lou Hill rated a 54 3/5 half and then met solid pressure from Prince Hal Hanover down the backstretch and through three-quarters in 1:21 2/5.

In the stretch Lou Hill felt pressure from the inside with Dandy Ideal, as well as the outside as Prince Hal Hanover dug in gamely and Best Chip attempted to roll by off his second-over trip. None were able to pass, though as Lou Hill, a homebred owned by Tom Hill, kicked home in 27 seconds flat and left the battle for the place spot. Prince Hal Hanover stuck his nose out and prevailed for that position with Best Chip settling for third.

A son of Sweet Lou, Lou Hill pushed his seasonal bankroll above $327K with the victory.