Herculisa stormed to a decisive victory in the first of two $50,000 Ohio Sires Stakes (OHSS) divisions for three-year-old trotting fillies on Saturday (June 26) at Scioto Downs.
The three-year-old bay daughter by My MVP was clocked in 1:52—a track record, a lifetime mark, and a national season’s record for a sophomore trotting filly on a five-eighths mile oval. Brett Miller was at the lines behind the 3-1 choice as she bested 3-5 Celebrate With Me by two lengths, with 5-1 Designer Specs nabbing show money.
Trained by Virgil Morgan, Jr., Herculisa is owned by the Jesmeral Stable of Scarsdale, N.Y., and now has career earnings of $136,612 from seven wins in 10 starts. Bred by Joe McLead, Billy Walters and Up Front Racing, Herculisa was foaled April 16, 2018 at Delaware, Ohio and is the third foal out of her dam, the Andover Hall mare Herculotte Hanover (3, 1:55.3 [$16,869]) and is a full sister to MVP L (4, 1:58.3f [$41,983]).
Katies Lucky Day didn’t disappoint her backers as the 1-5 favourite, storming to a 1:55.2 clocking for driver Trevor Smith and trainer Todd Luther in the second OHSS division. The daughter of Uncle Peter is owned by Black Magic Racing and pushed her career earnings to $149,969 with this win, the 11th of her career in 22 starts and her fourth-consecutive victory. Merry Ann was second at 6-1, with Swizzle Hanover getting up for third at 6-1 as well.
Katies Lucky Day is the fifth foal out of her dam Yansky (3, 1:57f [$122,127]) and is a half-sister to Yanks Dugout (by Triumphant Caviar) (4, 1:53.4f [$132,853]); Yanks Ball Girl (by Majestic Son) (4, 1:57f [$60,722]); and Fashion Can Do It (by Cantab Hall) (3, 1:58.1f [$30,030]), among others.
(Ohio Sires Stakes)