Turning a perfect pocket-sitting trip into her second victory of the season, Sawgrass Farms' Powerful Bella lived up to her name as she captured Sunday’s $9,000 Koochie Stakes by three-quarters of a length in a career best of 1:58.2 at Balmoral Park in Illinois.

Driver Marcus Miller was more than content to trot along in the garden spot as Claires Rose (driven by Homer Hochstetler) led the eight state-bred fillies through splits of :29.3, :59.2 and 1:29.1.

In the lane, a leg-weary Claires Rose began to give way as Powerful Bella started to find her best stride. Merry High (Mike Oosting), the winner of the Trotting Tilly Stake in her last start, was also starting to rev things up from the back of the pack while the rest of the field was left to slug it out for minor spoils.

Miller already had the jump on his rivals, however, and the Nelson Willis-trained miss was straight and true to the wire as she recorded her third career victory in 14 starts. Merry High was a fast closing second, while Claires Rose hung on for third.

The winner's share of the purse helped bump the daughter of Powerful Emotion-Fox Valley Bella’s career bankroll up to $27,361.

Sent off as the third choice in the wagering, Powerful Bella returned $13.80, $3.80 and $2.40.

(Balmoral)