Scioto: Prsntpretynperfect, Smiley Dragon give Brian Brown an Ohio Sires Stakes double

A trio of $40,000 Ohio Sires Stakes (OSS) divisions were contested Saturday night (July 14) at Scioto Downs in the third round of action in the four-leg series for 3-year-old pacing fillies.

Prsntpretynperfect certainly was present, pretty and perfect as she rocked to a 1:51 4/5 clocking in the first OSS division for driver Chris Page and trainer Brian Brown as the 1-9 favorite. The Big Bad John lass chased the leading Ask Me Ifi Care (Mike Micallef) to the top of the stretch before unleashing a wicked final brush that saw her prevail by 2 1/4 lengths over 14-1 Bad Girls Rule (Kayne Kauffman). Ask Me Ifi Care, who left the gate at 5-1, held on for third.

Bred by Carl Howard, Prsntpretynperfect is owned by Jenny Brown, Richard Lombardo, and Marlene Taylor. The big, rangy filly had finished sixth in leg one of this series at Miami Valley on May 4 after making an uncharacteristic break, and then took leg two handily, posting a 1:52 4/5 clocking with Jordan Stratton in the sulky on June 2 at Northfield Park.

Equipped with spreaders, knee and tendon boots, Prsntpretynperfect is an impressive distaff both on and off the track, and her record reflects that, as to date she’s earned $176,326 for her connections with eight wins and a third in 12 starts. Her seasonal earnings now stand at $51,160. Prsntpretynperfect is the third foal out of the Towner’s Big Guy mare Wildfire Princess.

The second OSS division of the evening was another Brown-trainee—the diminutive but mighty Smiley Dragon, a daughter of Dragon Again, who won easily in 1:52 3/5 by nearly three lengths with Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. at the lines. The 6-5 favorite was bred and is owned by Bruce Trogdon’s Emerald Highlands Farm.

After a speed duel between Believe In Waco (Kayne Kauffman) and Lily Grace (Joey Putnam) took the field of seven to a 26 2/5 first quarter clocking, it set the stage for Smiley Dragon to zip to the front at the head of the lane and easily take the victory. Lady Gallipolis, a 16-1 longshot, was second for Page, while 7-1 Thunder Again (Cameron McCown) nailed down third-place honors.

Unraced at two, Smiley Dragon has amassed $46,780 in her brief career with two wins, one second and one third in five starts. The little black mare races determinedly, with a low head and gritty gait that belies her stature, although she has confirmation characteristics of her sire. She was third in leg one at Miami Valley on May 4 and then won leg two at Northfield Park on June 2 in 1:52 4/5 with Wrenn Jr., in the sulky.

“This filly is a throwback to her granddam,” Trogdon explained. “Her granddam, Blissful Smile, went with her head down low like this filly does, she usually won her races coming from behind, and was just a tough little mare. By contrast, Smiley Dragon’s dam (Smiley Rocks) is a big mare.”

Smiley Dragon is the second foal out of Smiley Rocks, a daughter of Rocknroll Hanover. Smiley Rocks was the first foal out of the Blissfull Hall mare Blissful Smile, who earned $778,734 and recorded a career mark of 1:50 2/5 at age five.

Kay Again captured the third OSS contest, wearing down the 2-1 choice Baron Remy (Page) by a scant neck at the wire in 1:52 2/5. Given a masterful steer by Tony Hall, the Dragon Again filly is a newcomer to the OSS series, having skipped the first two legs for owner-breeder Alan Keith.

After Baron Remy took the lead, she appeared to be a sure winner until the pocket-sitting Kay Again stuck her nose in front at the wire. Up Front Flor Ida (Kayne Kauffman), who sat third throughout at 8-1, took show honors, just 1 3/4 lengths behind the first two finishers.

Kay Again now has $104,470 in career earnings from six wins, two seconds and four thirds in 18 career starts. She has four wins, one second and two thirds this season in 10 starts and $42,780 earned in 2018. Mike Roth harnessed the bay lass, who is out of the Real Desire mare Warrawee Kay p, 2, 1:51.3 ($286,751). Kay Again is a full-sister to Kays Dragon Lady p,3, 1:54 ($187,215).

--press release (Ohio Standardbred Development Fund)--