Creatine set a new track record of 1:52.4 at Scioto Downs on Friday night in the $25,000 Open Trot.
Creatine shattered the previous record for a four-year-old horse of 1:54.1, which was set by Shark Kosmos in 2002.
Creatine is a son of Andover Hall out of Berry Nice Muscles. He's conditioned by Bob Stewart for Diamond Creek Racing of Pennsylvania.
Creatine started from assigned post five in the field of seven and Dan Noble had the controls. Slated as 9-5 favourite and going off at odds of 3-5, Noble said "go" when the gates folded. The pair had to work for the top from a stubborn Its Complicated and Josh Sutton. They cleared before the quarter that was trotted in a brisk :26.2.
Noble was able to give Creatine a breather on their way to the half that was clocked in :56.1.
Boy Meets Girl K and Randy Tharps started their first over bid to apply the pressure down the back side. Southwind Pepino and Sandy Beatty were right in their tow second over. Its Complicated started to tire giving Southwind Pepino a chance to sneak back to the rail. They clocked the three-quarters in 1:24.4.
Creatine held off the challenge from Boy Meets Girl K, but still had Southwind Pepino to fend off in the stretch. Creatine dug in to win by one and a quarter lengths over Southwind Pepino while War Cry Hall and Greg Grismore rallied to complete the trifecta.
This victory was Creatine's first of the season, but the 12th of his career. He's now banked over $941,000 in just 32 lifetime starts.
Betterluvnexttime became the fastest mare in the history of Scioto Downs after winning the Filly and Mare Open Pace in 1:50.2.
Betterluvnexttime broke her own track record set earlier this year of 1:50.4 and a mark of 1:50.3 set by her stablemate Top Brand.
Betterluvnexttime is a six-year-old mare by American Ideal out of Darriwillian. She's trained by Scioto Downs leading trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. for Daniel Mitchell.
Josh Sutton had the lines from post eight in the partially assigned field of nine. Betterluvnexttime was the 9-2 morning line third choice and went off at odds of 5-1. Sutton drove her like she was the one to beat. When the starter said "go," so did Sutton. They pushed the gate away and drove for command.
Sutton settled in an early third after the opening quarter that was paced in :26 by Sectionline Yankee. Shes Shocking settled in the pocket spot for Kayne Kauffman, but they wouldn't have the pocket seat for long. Betterluvnexttime and Sutton were underway before the half that was paced in :54.1 and she was able to clear to the top on the backside.
Betterluvnexttime had no time back down the pace. She had company from Continual Velocity and Chris Page. They battled to the three-quarters in 1:21.3.
The duel continued through the stretch and Sectionline Yankee was licking her chops behind the battling pair. The two outstanding mares battled it out and Betterluvnexttime had the winning stride. She beat a game Continual Velocity by a narrow neck and Sectionline Yankee settled for the show spot.
This was Betterluvnexttime's fourth consecutive win and her 37th victory in 86 career starts.
Racing continues on Saturday (August 31) post time is 6:30 p.m. Scioto Downs will host an autograph session prior to post time, starting at 5:45 p.m., in the grandstand breezeway.
(With files from Scioto Downs)