The $100,000 Ohio Derby (G3) features 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Thistledown. Just four faced the starter on Saturday afternoon under sunny skies and temperatures in the low 90's, with Prospective sent off as the 3-5 favorite, shipping in from Woodbine where he won the Victoria Park Stakes last time out, after checking in 18th in the Kentucky Derby. In to challenge him were 3-2 second choice Politicallycorrect, third in the Easy Goer at Belmont, 5-1 Z Rockstar, third in the Prairie Mile at Prairie Meadows, and 15-1 longest shot Defiant Flier, seventh in the Prairie Mile.
Jockey Victor Santiago sent Politicallycorrect to the lead and he set fractions of 23.82, 48.62, and 1:12.44 over the fast track, while pressed by Z Rockstar early. Entering the lane, jockey Jermaine Bridgmohan came out for room and easily passed the pacesetters, taking over the lead at the 1/8 pole and drawing off to win by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:42.84. It was a long 8 3/4 lengths from Politicallycorrect to Z Rockstar, and another 8 1/2 lengths to Defiant Flier who trailed the whole way around.
