Rebas First Kiss Holds Off Fastest Qualifier In $119,900 Polk County Derby

Fourth-fastest qualifier Rebas First Kiss held off a late charge from fastest qualifier Corona Streakin Jess to capture the $119,900 Polk County Derby on Saturday at Prairie Meadows.

Ridden by Armando Alvidrez, Rebas First Kiss broke sharply and led throughout the 400-yard final, holding on by a head in :20.188 for an 84 speed index over a muddy track. Corona Streakin Jess closed from seventh to finish second, with Takin It To Go another length back in third.

A homebred for Robert and Sandra Brown and trained by Jason Olmstead, Rebas First Kiss is by Kiss Me Anywhere, out of the Teller Cartel mare Tellher To Fly.

The victory improved Rebas First Kiss' record to four wins, three seconds and two thirds from 13 starts. The $53,955 winner's share boosted her earnings to $153,660. She entered the September 7 trials off a victory in the Iowa Stallion Derby and also won the Iowa Stallion Futurity last year.

Fastest qualifier Corona Streakin Jess finished second under Ali Rivera for owner RDS Legacy Racing LLC and trainer John Stinebaugh. Bred by Jeff State, the gelding is by Corona Cartel, out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Streakin Jesszee.

Corona Streakin Jess entered the September 7 trials following a victory in the Cyclone Derby. He has also finished second in the Sam Houston Derby Challenge Stakes and Hawkeye Futurity and third in the Jim Bader Futurity.

Takin It To Go and jockey Martin Lazalde crossed the wire third for owner James Steger and trainer Nelson Figueroa. Bred by James Steger and Lisa Goedken, the gelding is by Inseperable, out of the Okey Dokey Dale mare Takin Okey Dokey.

Runner-up in last year's Jim Bader Futurity, Takin It To Go now has a record of one win, four seconds and two thirds from nine starts, with earnings of $67,611.

Follies Favorite finished fourth, followed by Royal Candy King, Shesafavoritecowgirl, Tetos Tres Boogie, Paint Me Flying, Ts Daddys Girl and Ms Hawk 22.

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