Scioto: Tempting Flames burns rubber in Ohio Sires Stakes triumph

Speedy fillies went behind the gate in three $50,000 divisions of the Ohio Sires Stakes for 2-year-old pacers on Friday (July 24) at Eldorado Scioto Downs.

An easy winner in 1:51 3/5, David Miller piloted the fastest divisional winner, Tempting Flames. Originally getting away in the pocket, Miller pulled Tempting Flames just at the 28 second quarter and led through fractions of 56 4/5 and 1:24 3/5. Coming home in 27 seconds, Tempting Flames won by 2 1/4 lengths over Late Night Legend (Luke Hanners); Yourgonaloveme (Ronnie Gillespie) was third.

Tempting Flames, by Catch The Fire and out of the McArdle mare Hotshot Temptress, was a $52,000 Ohio Selected Yearling Sale purchase from breeder Ivy Holdings. Owned by William Hartt and trained by Michael Hitchcock, Tempting Flames now has $75,000 earned in three lifetime starts.

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Chris Page gave Cleveland Darby the perfect pocket trip and won the first division in 1:52 4/5. Breadnbutterz (Chris Lems) took the early lead and set fractions of 27 3/5, 56 and 1:24 1/5. Page pulled Cleveland Darby midway through the last turn and drew clear to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Breadnbutterz was second, while Jar Of Hearts (Gillespie) came up the passing lane to finish third.

Cleveland Darby, by Downbytheseaside and out of the McArdle mare Loreenas Ruffian, was bred by Carl Howard. Owned by Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, R A S Racing and Larry Karr, the Ron Burke trainee has $37,000 earned in three lifetime starts.

The last division was won in gate-to-wire fashion by Party Up and David Miller in 1:53 1/5. After setting fractions of 27 1/5, 56 and 1:25, Party Up comfortably paced home to win by a quarter-length over Real Classy (Page); Splendid Station (Justin Irvine) was third.

Bred by Vieux Carre Farms, the Lather Up filly out of the Artsplace mare Artchitecture was a $17,000 yearling sale purchase from Harrisburg. Owned by Morrison Racing and trained by Joe Bongiorno, Party Up now has $50,000 earned in two lifetime OHSS starts.

Ohio Sires Stakes action continues at Scioto on Saturday (July 25) when two $75,000 divisions go to post for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings. The first division goes off as race one, with an off time of 5:25 p.m. (EDT); the second division is race number 11 on the 15 race card.

The 91-day 2026 Eldorado Scioto Downs regular season runs through Saturday, September 19. Races are held Tuesday-Saturday, with a special holiday card on Labor Day instead of the Tuesday card that week. The track will then re-open for the Breeders Crown, with eliminations held October 16-17 and the finals October 23-24. More information about all the racing action at Scioto can be found on the Eldorado Scioto Downs website.

--press release (Scioto)--