Scioto: McMarkle Sparkle, Looksgoodinaromper post same times in OHSS wins

A pair of $50,000 Ohio Sires Stakes wrapped up Leg Four action for 2-year-old pacing fillies on a mild summer evening, Aug. 22 at Scioto Downs.

McMarkle Sparkle, the 1-1 choice, did not disappoint her backers as the homebred McArdle lass paced to a 1:52 4/5 victory for Laura and Paul Baker of Galloway, Ohio.

Trained by Jim Arledge, Jr., McMarkle Sparkle used come-from-behind tactics for driver Brett Miller, who steered the daughter of McArdle to a head victory over 6-1 Corner Pocket (Chris Page) with 6-5 Beautiful Beach (Aaron Merriman) a length behind in third.

The homebred McMarkle Sparkle now has $94,050 in career earnings from four wins, one second and a third in six starts. She captured her OSS Leg One in 1:54 3/5, was third in Leg Two and won Leg Three in 1:53 3/5.

McMarkle Sparkle is the seventh foal out of the Towner’s Big Guy mare It’s Ladies Nite p, 3, 1:51s ($56,535)—herself a former OSS victress. The filly has half-siblings in Alwaysagoodthing (by Metropolitan) p, 4, 1:52 3/5f ($98,525) and It’s a Deal (by Metropolitan) p, 4, 1:57 2/5h ($21,429).

The second OSS division saw 1-9 Looksgoodinaromper take advantage of a perfect steer by driver Chris Page to win easily in 1:52 4/5, besting rivals 20-1 PJ’s Legacy (Ryan Stahl) and 4-1 Artful Dancer (Aaron Merriman).

Trained by Ronnie Burke for the Pennsylvania-based partnership of Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi, Looksgoodinaromper is a daughter of Pet Rock, and the first foal out of the Village Connection mare Don’t Blame Her p, 10, 1:51 2/5s ($830,555). This latest triumph pushed her career earnings to $91,300 from three wins, one second and one third in five starts.

Ohio Sires Stakes action continues Friday night, Aug. 23 with two $50,000 divisions for 3-year-old pacing colts at Scioto Downs and Saturday night, Aug. 24 with a trio of $40,000 divisions at Northfield Park for 2-year-old pacing colts.

-edited release (Kim Rinker for OSDF)