Rose Run Champ Headlines Second Leg of BSS for Freshman Colt Pacers
By Wes Mayberry
Rose Run Champ recorded the fastest mile of four $20,000 divisions of the second leg of the Buckeye Stallion Series for freshman colt pacers at Eldorado Scioto Downs on Friday (July 24).
In sixth place and trailing the leader by two and three-quarters lengths entering the final stretch, Rose Run Champ (Brett Miller) rallied to win the second division by one and a half lengths in 1:55.1. It was the first career win for the Downbytheseaside gelding, increasing his earnings to $14,280 in four starts. Kintsugi (Tyler Smith) was second followed by Kb Moneyball (Ronnie Gillespie) in third. Rose Run Champ is trained by Tim Twaddle for owner At The Wire Farms.
Declamation (Chris Page) won the first division by one and a half lengths in 1:55.2 for trainer Ron Burke and owner W Donovan. The Downbytheseaside gelding has a 1-1-1 record with earnings of $27,300 in four starts. Hear The Thunder (Chris Lems) and Monte Be Good (Miller) rounded out the top three.
Into The Blaze took the fourth division in 1:55.3 with Gillespie as trainer and driver. The Catch The Fire gelding was in fourth place as the field passed the first three calls in :28.1, :58.4, and 1:28.1. Two and a half lengths behind leader Mental Up (Kayne Kauffman) entering the final stretch, Into The Blaze used a late burst to edge Mental Up by a neck at the line to win in a lifetime-best 1:55.3. Dream Ignited (Luke Ebersole) was third. Into The Blaze is now 3-for-3 on the season with $21,607 in earnings. He is owned by Gillespie, Adam Friedland, and Jacob Beard.
In his debut purse start, Route Fifty (Austin Hanners) won the third division by three and three-quarters lengths in 1:56.3. The Downbytheseaside gelding went off with 13-1 odds and paid $29.40 to win. He was in fifth place and trailed leader Eagle Spirit (Gillespie) by over four lengths at the three-quarter pole before rallying to win. Individual Medley (Marvin Luna) and Eagle Spirit rounded out the top three finishers. Route Fifty is trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. for owners Country Club Acres, Joe Sbrocco, Wingfield Brothers, and Jaf Racing.
The Buckeye Stallion Series continues Aug. 7 with the fourth leg for sophomore filly pacers at Eldorado Scioto Downs.