From Eldorado Scioto Downs
Tempting Flames set a new track record Tuesday (Aug. 18) at Eldorado Scioto Downs while equaling the world record on a five-eighths mile track for 2-year-old filly pacers. Taken in one of the two $75,000 divisions of the fourth leg of the Ohio Sires Stakes for freshman filly pacers, Tempting Flames hit the wire in 1:50, equaling the record set by Beach Cowgirl in 2022.
Breadnbutterz (Trevor Smith) blasted off the car from post nine to make the early lead, but it was short-lived as the 1-9 favorite Tempting Flames and David Miller quickly took over by the :28 quarter. Coasting to a :54.2 half, Tempting Flames put separation on the field going to the 1:22.1 third quarter. The pair drew off to win by seven and a half lengths over Breadnbutterz with Splendid Station (Justin Irvine) finishing third.
“It’s pretty remarkable really,” Tempting Flames trainer Mike Hitchcock said. “It’s hard to put into words. David said she was very good. I don’t think her earplugs have been popped yet, so I don’t know if that’s good or bad.
“She’s very athletic…she’s quiet in the barn. She jogs very nice, trains nice. She’s just a really great filly all around. She gets a little wound up in the paddock, but she likes to have company beside her. She likes to have another horse so she can see other horses, she’s a lot quieter.”
It was the fourth win in a row for Tempting Flames, who now has $190,600 earned in six starts. By Catch The Fire out of the McArdle mare Hotshot Temptress, Tempting Flames was a $52,000 Ohio Selected Yearling Sale purchase from Ivy Holdings by William Hartt.
“She’s just so rugged built, she’s very muscular,” Hartt said. “She’s not huge, but I think she’ll grow some this winter and this fall. That’s why I liked her when I purchased her at the sale — I just liked the way she was built. She looked strong, and she’s very, very well built.”
Looking ahead, Tempting Flames has another leg of the OSS and the Ohio Breeders Championship at the Delaware County Fair, but she’s also looking to go outside the state.
“She’s got some stakes down in Kentucky, she’s paid up in the Breeder’s Crown and the Matron,” Hitchcock said. “Dan (Holmes), my second trainer, he does an awesome job, and Lorie Davis, she does a really good job with her. She’ll probably go out east. The biggest thing is going to be keeping her healthy and sound and happy.
“The best thing about the Breeder’s Crown is that it’s like home-field advantage — it’s what she’s used to. She gets to stay in her home, in her stall, train at her own farm and get turned out. So it’s not going to be a change of atmosphere for her, so I think that’s a plus. It’s exciting. (Owner) Billy (Hartt) is game, he loves the game. Everyone wants one like her, so fingers crossed we’ll keep it rolling.”
Another filly out of a McArdle mare – Cleveland Darby – won the other OSS division in 1:54. Taking the lead by the :28.3 opening quarter, Cleveland Darby gave way to Party Up (Luke Hanners) by the three-eighths and set fractions of :57.1 and 1:26.1. Cleveland Darby came up the passing lane to win by a length and three quarters over Party Up. Moni N The Safe (Brett Miller) was third.
Cleveland Darby, by Downbytheseaside out of Loreenas Ruffian, was bred by Carl Howard. Now owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, RAS Racing and Larry Karr, the Ron Burke trainee has three wins in five starts with $118,500 in earnings.
Celebrating its 50th season, the Ohio Sires Stakes continues Saturday (Aug. 22) with the fourth leg for freshman colt pacers at Eldorado Scioto Downs.