Milwaukee Brew, a Tino Attard trainee, improved to four wins from six career starts and earned $180,000 for the win. He came into the Ohio Derby off a short freshening after having won the Marine Stakes (Can-III) at Woodbine in May. He was bred in Kentucky by Robert Spiegel. (Chart, Equibase)
Stronach Stable's Milwaukee Brew rallied late to win the $300,000 Ohio Derby (gr. II) by a head Saturday at Thistledown. Under jockey Michael McCarthy, the 3-year-old son of Wild Again completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.58 over a fast track. Post time favorite Brave Quest finished second, followed by Kiss a Native, Cielo Stellato, Miami Blase, Perfect Cat, Snuck In, Eagle Time, Lake Austin, and Eli Lilliput. As the fourth wagering choice, Milwaukee Brew returned $11.40, $5.20, and $3.60 and led an exacta that paid $45.