Scioto: Track record clocking for Sea Silk in The Next Generation

A night after first-crop sire What The Hill sent out the winners in The Next Generation trotting races for 2-year-olds at Scioto Downs, fellow first-cropper Downbytheseaside pulled off the same feat in the $150,000 pacing races.

Sea Silk (Chris Page) dazzled in her debut in the contest for fillies, winning in a track record 1:51 3/5. After being positioned fourth through opening-half panels of 28 2/5 and 56, Page wheeled Sea Silk to the outside, and she took over the lead from Dragons Revenge (Dan Noble) after the 1:24 three-quarters. From there, Sea Silk drew off to prevail by 4 3/4 lengths, with Secret Side Piece (Trevor Smith) getting up for second over Dragons Revenge.

Ron Burke trains Sea Silk, who was bred by Steiner Stock Farm and sold for $47,000 at last year's Ohio Selected Yearling Sale, for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC., Knox Services Inc., and Hatfield Stables. Sea Silk, who won both of her qualifiers at The Meadows in preparation for this race, is the third foal out of the Bettor's Delight mare Silk Purse (1:53 2/5, $112,336), a full sister to Malicious (1:50 1/5, $788,720). Sea Silk was the 3-2 favorite and paid $5.00 to win.

Pearl Snaps (Aaron Byron) had the lead through stations of 27 3/5, 57 1/5, and 1:24 4/5 in the event for colts and geldings, but Noble went three-wide from second-over with Sling Shock on the last turn, took over command, and kicked away to tally by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:52 4/5. Pearl Snaps held second over Risenshine Seaside (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) despite suffering broken equipment.

Sling Shock is trained by Christi Noble for owners Michael Cimaglio, William Richardson, William Salmeri, and Rhonda Gilmartin and was bred by Billy Walters, Joseph Mclead, and Rtk Racing LLC. Sling Shock, who prevailed in two baby races at Scioto before making his initial pari-mutuel start tonight, was a $60,000 Ohio Selected Yearling Sale purchase and is the second foal out of the Art Major mare Shocking Beauty, a full sister to Swinging Beauty (1:49 4/5, $893,286). Sling Shock was the 2-1 second choice and returned $6.40 to win.