Totally Obsessed makes it three straight in Southern Park Stakes

Favored Totally Obsessed remained unbeaten on the season as she cruised to an easy win in the $75,000 Southern Park Stakes for Ohio-bred 3-year-old fillies on Saturday at Mahoning Valley. It was the first stakes race of the year in Ohio.

Totally Obsessed ($4.80), who broke from post 3 in the field of 7 under Luis Quinones, was away in good order and quickly assumed the lead by a length through the opening quarter in 22.70 seconds. She continued to edge clear through the half in 47.04 seconds and drew away in the lane under confident handling, winning by 3 1/4 lengths. Her final time for the six furlongs was 1:14.67.

Pearls in Charge made a middle move to reach second at the quarter pole and held that position to the wire, easily 3 1/4 lengths clear of Dolly Dear. The latter nosed out Drillit, who was the winner of last fall's John W. Galbreath Memorial Stakes on the Best of Ohio showcase program.

This was the third victory in as many starts this season, all at Mahoning Valley, for Totally Obsessed, who is trained by Gary Johnson for owner Ron Paolucci. This was the first stakes victory for the Tale of Ekati filly, who had placed in a pair of stakes last season, including a runner-up effort in the Galbreath Memorial.