Top 2-year-olds will be battling at Scioto Downs in Breeders Crown Finals. In Race 7, two-year-old filly trotters will mix it up and in Race 9 freshman pacing fillies are the headliners. In Race 10, male freshman totters are on center stage and in Race 11 the male pacers will be racing for a share of another $700,000 purse. All Finals will have a $700,000 purse. Spot Plays are in Race 9, Race 10, and Race 11. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

Race 9 (9:56 PM EDT)

1-Cleveland Darby (5-1)-Drawing the rail is cause for pause but the Ron Burke trainee is an interesting hometown play. Has won 5 of 6 at ScD but has never drawn the rail. Will rely on usual pilot Chris Page to work a winning trip. Came a close 4th in its last start at Lex and before that rattled off 4 straight wins in Ohio. This gal has banked over $354,000 this season and doesn't need to lead every step of the way to take a picture. The fractions could be sizzling, and Page should be able to stay close enough to the leaders to be in play down the lane. If he pushes the button at the right time Darby can make her State proud. Could offer a square price even with a hometown bias.

1-8-7

Race 10 (10:23 PM EDT)

5-Lifetime Dreamer (5/2)-Lifetime Dreamer set a divisional record in the 2-year-old male Trot Elim of 152.4 and that also equaled a world record. The Ake Svanstedt pupil drew post 5, the choice post, will be steered by Yannick Gingras and is the 5/2 program chalk. Svanstedt seems to always have main players on Breeders Crown Finals weekend. By Svanstedt comments he seems particularly fond of this freshman, saying it keeps getting stronger. Judging by its back-to-back wins the conditioner has his pupil peaking at the right time.

5-6-8

Race 11 (10:50 PM EDT)

4-Starstruck Dreamer (2-1)-The Noel Daley trainee was driven confidently last week by Todd McCarthy and rolled home in .54 flat with a 26.3 last panel. That was a sharp ScD debut and was off more than 5 weeks from its last race start on 9-7 at PcD. My take is TMac will be forwardly placed off the gate and then will be the best down the lane.

4-5-1

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