Miami Valley: Looking For Zelda, Baron Remy impressive in Scarlet & Gray Invitationals

The track records for 3-year-old fillies of both gaits fell in a pair of $50,000 Scarlet & Gray Invitationals on Friday night at Miami Valley Raceway.

Looking For Zelda (Tony Hall), whose 2-year-old campaign included several Ohio Sires Stakes wins, two Grand Circuit victories, and an appearance in the Breeders Crown final, kicked off her sophomore season with a 1:55 2/5 score in the event for trotting fillies.

She got away fifth and watched as Non Smoker (Dan Noble) took the field to the 28 2/5 opening quarter. Red Storm (Aaron Merriman) then pulled pocket to take the lead going to the 57 2/5 half, while Looking For Zelda began a first-up march at that point.

Looking For Zelda advanced steadily on the rim in the third quarter, getting to within a length of Red Storm at the 1:26 3/5 three-quarter mile marker, and although their battle continued into the lane, Looking For Zelda proved better late, winning by three-parts of a length. Red Storm held second, with Sesame (Chris Page) up for third.

A daughter of Break The Bank K, Looking For Zelda is trained by Norm Parker for owner/breeder Robert Key. This was her eighth career victory, and she has now earned $253,675. She was the 3-2 favorite and paid $5.00 to win.

In the companion event for pacing fillies, it would be Baron Remy (Page), last year's Ohio Breeders Championship winner, lowering the track mark for the division to 1:52.

Up Front Flor Ida (Kayne Kauffman), who set the track record of 1:52 4/5 in last week's Hackett Memorial) took the lead away from Bad Girls Rule (Noble) passing the 27 1/5 opening quarter, then yielded to Baron Remy on the way to the 55 2/5 half. Baron Remy was able to keep a first-over Bad Girls Rule at bay to the 1:23 4/5 three-quarters, then pulled away in the final quarter on her way to a 2 3/4 length decision over Up Front Flor Ida. Grant Me This (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) checked in third.

Ron Burke trains Baron Remy, a filly by Yankee Cruiser, for the ownership group of Burke Racing Stable LLC., Silva, Purnel & Libby, Larry Karr, and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. Baron Remy is now a four-time winner in her life, and she pushed her bankroll to $124,189. She was the 1-2 public choice and returned $3.00 to win.