by Kimberly Rinker, OSDF Administrator

Columbus, OH — Friday (July 13) proved to be lucky for Looking For Zelda as she romped to a 5-3/4 length triumph in the first of two $50,000 Ohio Sires Stakes for 3-year-old trotting fillies on a perfect summer evening at Scioto Downs, timed in a new track record clocking of 1:54.1.

Conrad photo

Looking For Zelda and driver Tony Hall were all alone at the wire in the first of two $50,000 Ohio Sires Stakes for 3-year-old trotting fillies.

Conditioned by The Meadows-based Norm Parker for breeder-owner Robert Key, the leggy sophomore daughter of Break The Bank K grabbed the lead early and was never headed throughout. In fact, Looking For Zelda was already on top by a full three lengths in the final turn, after flying by the three-quarter marker in a hasty 1:24.3 in rein to Tony Hall.

The victory was Looking For Zelda’s third of the year in five starts and her tenth lifetime in 16 tries. She now has $295,902 in her coffers. She was sent off as the 1-5 favorite, with 6-1 Sesame (Aaron Merriman) second and 50-1 Infrontandforgetit (Kayne Kauffman) getting up for third.

To no one’s surprise, Non Smoker captured the second OSS division in 1:55.1 as the 9-5 favorite, besting the late-rushing 5-2 Impinktoo (Kayne Kauffman) by a scant neck. The My MVP lass trotted solidly for trainer-driver Danny Noble in front-stepping fashion the entire mile, before nabbing her third consecutive victory in this OSS series. Mild 12-1 longshot California Love (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) was third, three-quarters of a length behind the winner.

Bred by Stephanie Smith-Rothaug, Non Smoker has earned $102,161 lifetime for Norman Rae Racing from six wins in 14 career starts.

The fourth and final leg of this OSS series will be contested on Aug. 20 at Northfield Park, with Non Smoker the clear leader with 153 points, while Impinktoo sits second with 78 points and Looking For Zelda and California Love tied for third with 73 points each. Red Storm has 70 points, Spunky Bottom Girl (53), Sesame (45), Risky Deal (28), To Russia (24) and Count On Rosey (18). Points will be tallied after the fourth OSS leg to determine which of these fillies will be eligible to the $275,000 final which will be contested on Sept. 8 at Scioto Downs.