Special Lady D got a perfect pocket trip and used that as a springboard to an easy three and three-quarter length victory in the Ohio Breeders Stakes Friday at Scioto Downs
.
The bay freshman daughter of Stand Forever paced her mile in 1:56.2, dropping a tick from the mark she took earlier this month at Scioto.
Her victory came on a rain-shortened program as lightning and heavy thunderstorms knocked out power, causing cancellation of the program after four races.
Rivervalleprincess shot to the front with an opening quarter in :27.2 in the Ohio Breeders Classic as driver Ryan Stahl kept favourite Special Lady D snug on her back. Feelin Rosie paced in third place. The positions remained unchanged through a show-down second panel in :30.4.
“My filly was really comfortable sitting in the hole,” said Stahl after the race. “I could drive her with two fingers.”
Ryan Holton moved the 27-1 shot Mac Come back into contention during the third quarter and loomed on the outside of Special Lady D as they hit the three-quarter pole. She was unable to sustain her bid, however, that allowed Stahl to get Special Lady D out once the leaders hit the homestretch.
The race was over in a flash as Special Lady D blew past the pacesetting Rivervalleprincess to score easily. Rivervalleprincess held for second while the 15-1 shot Friskie Beauty rallied to finish third.
Brian Brown trains the winner for Country Club Acres, Daniel Wozniak, and William J. Robinson, all of Ohio. She is now three-for-four with a close second-place effort on her resume.
The Ohio Breeders Stakes will be continued on the Sunday matinee program at Scioto.
(With files from Scioto Downs)