A trio of $40,000 Ohio Sires Stakes (OHSS) divisions were contested Saturday, July 14 at Scioto Downs in the third of four rounds for Ohio-bred three-year-old pacing fillies.
Prsntpretynperfect rocked to a 1:51.4 clocking in the first OHSS division for driver Chris Page and trainer Brian Brown as the 1-9 favourite. The Big Bad John filly chased the leader Ask Me Ifi Care to the top of the stretch before unleashing a wicked final brush, prevailing by two-and-one-quarter lengths over 14-1 Bad Girls Rule. Ask Me Ifi Care, who left the gate at 5-1, held on for third.
Bred by Carl Howard, Prsntpretynperfect is owned by Jenny Brown, Richard Lombardo and Marlene Taylor. The filly finished sixth in leg one of this series at Miami Valley on May 4 after making an uncharacteristic break and then took leg two handily, posting a 1:52.4 clocking with Jordan Stratton in the sulky on June 2 at Northfield Park. To date she’s earned $176,326, $51,160 this season, for her connections with eight wins and a third in 12 starts.
Brown returned to the winner's circle in the second OHSS division, winning with Smiley Dragon, a daughter of Dragon Again, in 1:52.3 by nearly three lengths with Ronnie Wrenn Jr. at the lines. The 6-5 favourite was bred and is owned by Bruce Trogdon’s Emerald Highlands Farm.
After a speed duel between Believe In Waco and Lily Grace took the field of seven to a :26.2 first quarter clocking, it set the stage for Smiley Dragon to zip to the front at the head of the lane and easily take the victory. Lady Gallipolis, at 16-1, was second while 7-1 Thunder Again snagged third.
Unraced at two, Smiley Dragon has amassed $46,780 in her brief career with two wins, one second and one third in five starts. She was third in leg one at Miami Valley on May 4 and then won leg two at Northfield Park on June 2 in 1:52.4 with Wrenn, Jr. in the sulky.
“This filly is a throwback to her granddam,” Trogdon said. “Her granddam, Blissful Smile, went with her head down low like this filly does and she usually won her races coming from behind, and was just a tough little mare. By contrast, Smiley Dragon’s dam [Smiley Rocks] is a big mare.”
Kay Again captured the third OHSS contest, wearing down the 2-1 choice Baron Remy by a scant neck at the wire in 1:52.2. Steered by Tony Hall, the Dragon Again filly is a newcomer to the OHSS series, having skipped the first two legs for owner-breeder Alan Keith.
After Baron Remy took the lead, she appeared to be a sure winner until the pocket-sitting Kay Again stuck her nose in front at the wire. Up Front Flor Ida, who sat third throughout at 8-1, took thrid, just one-and-three-quarter lengths behind the first two finishers.
Kay Again now has $104,470 in career earnings from six wins, two seconds and four thirds in 18 career starts. She has four wins, one second and two thirds this season in ten starts and $42,780 earned in 2018. Mike Roth harnessed the bay lass.
(With files from the Ohio Sires Stakes)