Scioto: Stretch surge carries Incommunicado to victory in Charlie Hill Memorial

Incommunicado and Yannick Gingras rallied boldly in the homestretch to track down pace-setter Kildare King in the shadow of the wire and capture the $250,000 Charlie Hill Memorial Saturday night at Scioto Downs. The 5-year-old by Chapter Seven stopped the timer in 1:51 4/5 for the mile.

Kildare King and Tim Tetrick left with purpose to take control in the early stages ahead of Jujubee and driver Tony Hall. Gingras also left with Incommunicado but was content to take a tuck third along the pylons through the 26 4/5 opening fraction.

Dexter Dunn moved Pretender passing the stands for the first time and challenged Kildare King hard at the half in 55 3/5. Gingras pulled to follow Pretender with Incommunicado but was loosely following him through a tenacious third quarter sprint. Kildare King was able to hold Pretender at bay as that one eventually broke stride prior to the 1:23 1/5 three-quarters being passed.

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Once without cover, Gingras and Incommunicado picked up momentum sweeping off the final turn and rallied boldly late for the victory. Kildare King gamely held on to the place spot, with Jujubee moving along the passing lane but unable to do better than third. Smoking Jet finished fourth and Lovedbythemasses took the final check.

Trained by Ake Svanstedt, Incommunicado is owned by Knutsson Trotting, Little E, A. Geiger and D. Stoltz. As the even- money choice Incommunicado returned $4.00 to win.