by Kimberly Rinker, Administrator, Ohio Standardbred Development Fund

Columbus, OH — A quintet of $40,000 Ohio Sires Stakes for 2-year-old trotting fillies were contested on a cool Monday evening (July 3) at Northfield Park. For many in this division, it was their first pari-mutuel battle under the lights.

Chris Beaver and Wilbur Lang’s Sesame (Aaron Merriman) made her career debut a winning one as she held off the late-charging Storm Beach O’Kidd (Peter Wrenn) to prevail by a neck in 1:59 in division one. The 9-5 Triumphant Caviar lass held the lead throughout the mile from the gate onward, snapping off fractions of :30.2, 1:00.2 and 1:30 before posting a :29 final brush.

Bred by Jonas Schlabach, Sesame is the fifth foal out of the Credit Winner mare Jewell Creek and is a half-sister to Explosive Ripple (Explosive Matter) 4,1:58f ($82,464).

Bang, a 24-1 longshot, finished third for Kayne Kauffman, beaten 8-1/4 lengths.

JJ Zamaiko photo

Looking For Zelda and driver Tony Hall captured one of five $40,000 Ohio Sires Stakes on Monday.

Trainer Norm Parker harnessed Looking For Zelda to a 1:59.1 triumph in the second OSS division with Tony Hall at the lines at odds of 2-1. The daughter of Break The Bank K gave a wire-to-wire performance as she notched her first lifetime win for owner-breeder Robert J. Key. Looking For Zelda is the second foal out of My Winning Way K and is a half-sister to Boyz N Guitars (Muscle Massive) 2,1:58.3f ($24,007).

Impinktoo, a 9-1 full sister to world champion Pinkman, finished second for Peter Wrenn, while 9-1 Oh My My My (Joe Essig Jr.) was third, 2-1/2 lengths back.

The biggest upset of the night came when To Russia scored a 1:59.1 winning debut in the third OSS division for driver Ryan Stahl, returning $92.80 on a $2 win ticket. The daughter of Manofmanymissions is trained by Scott Cox for the Parent Racing Stable, and prevailed in the final lengths with a :28.4 final panel over Ed’s Chargin Lady (Chris Page) and favorite Red Storm (Aaron Merriman), who had led the field through the first three-quarters of the one mile test before tiring in the stretch.

To Russia was bred by Switzerland’s Kjell Anderson and is the sixth foal out of Oaklea Odessa 3,1:55.3s ($410,744) and is a half-sister to Muscle Babe (Muscle Mass) 3,1:53.3s ($250,630); Explosive Muscles (Muscle Mass) 1:54f ($184,589); and The Odessa Man (Angus Hall) 3,1:58.3s ($45,560).

Josh Sutton gave 8-1 Alana’s Ways a perfect steer to grab the fourth OSS division in 1:58.3. The Dejarmbro lass bested 7-1 D’Dream (Tyler Smith) and 4-1 Katy Did (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) by a half-length at the wire for trainer Alicia Hanners and owners Mystical Marker Farms, VIP Internet Stable, Harvey Eisman and Debra Garland. Alana’s Ways is the second foal out of the Cantab Hall mare Lady Bella and is a half-sister to She Drives Me Wild (by Pilgrim’s Taj) 3,1:59.3f ($23,921).

Trainer Danny Collins had This Year’s Best ready for a debut victory and she didn’t disappoint owner Joyce McClelland, trotting to a 2:01.2 triumph in the final OSS division. Driven by Dan Noble, the 5-2 homebred daughter by My MVP-Under My Thumb stayed solidly-gaited in a race marred by multiple breakers. Now Helen was second for Ryan Stahl at 11-1, while 18-1 longshot Bugs MVP was third with Peter Wrenn driving.

Ohio Sires Stakes continue on July 4, with 2-year-old pacing colts vying in a special matinee program at Scioto Downs.