From Eldorado Scioto Downs
Secrets Ilia got back to her winning ways on Tuesday (Aug. 25) in the fifth leg of the Ohio Sires Stakes for 2-year-old filly trotters at Eldorado Scioto Downs, setting a new lifetime mark of 1:53.4.
Brett Miller got Secrets Ilia away third off the gate while Missredwhitenblue (Austin Hanners) took the field to the :27.3 opening quarter. Going into the second turn, Secrets Ilia pulled first up as the leader tripped the half mile beam in :56. Midway down the backside, Secrets Ilia took the field past the 1:25.3 third-quarter. Coming home in :28.1, Secrets Ilia won by a length and a half over Made For More (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.). Shinie T (Aaron Merriman) was third.
It was the fourth win in six lifetime starts for Secrets Ilia, a daughter of Long Tom out of the CJ’s Secret mare CJ’s Super Secret. A $28,000 Buckeye Classic Yearling Sale purchase from breeder Mose Yoder, Secrets Ilia now has $118,750 earned for trainer Micah Miller and owners Wayne Mast Jr. and Callam Racing.
The other division was won by Blue Ranger, a full sister to Hambletonian runner-up Big Ranger, in 1:54.1.
Rose Run Cybill (Kurt Sugg) took the field to the :27.3 opening quarter, but Envious Queen (David Miller) quickly took over and sent the field towards the :56.3 half. Blue Ranger (Wrenn Jr.) sat in fourth until the field straightened out on the backside when the filly came first up. Just off the leader’s wheel as Envious Queen got to the third quarter in 1:25.1, Blue Ranger posted a :28.3 to win by a length and a half under a hand drive. Rose Run Cybill came up the passing lane to be second with Envious Queen third.
It was the maiden victory in three starts for Blue Ranger, who comes from the Marcus Melander barn for owner Bender Sweden. A $210,000 Ohio Selected Yearling Sale purchase from Spring Haven Farm, Blue Ranger, by In Range out of the Tactical Landing mare Big Blue Bird, now has $43,500 in earnings.
Celebrating its 50th season, the Ohio Sires Stakes continues Wednesday (Aug. 26) with the fifth leg for sophomore filly trotters at Northfield Park Racino. The OSS Scarlet Championships for all eight divisions are scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, at Scioto Downs.