3-YEAR-OLDS WON’T HAVE TO SPLIT THE $31,800 POT ON MONDAY

“Sometimes the answer is yes, sometimes the answer no, sometimes the answer is wait.” Those were a few words of wisdom my Irish mother would pass along, and it seems to have played to the benefit of two of our partnership’s runners. It appeared that Dr. Spirito and Rogues a Plotting were destined match strides for their maiden win, but Mother Nature cancelled that scenario and the races last Wednesday at Mahoning Valley. While our runners had to wait it out, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The race last week had us breaking from posts 10 and 11 in a 12-horse field.

While the answer was “wait” for the newly turned 3-year-old duo, the added time attracted more starters for the $31,800 Accredited-bred Maiden Special Weight race on Monday and the race was split. Our duo will not be wasting their talents competing against each other for the top spot as they head into their shortened fields as the pre-race favorites. The similarities don’t end there – both race for the partnership of HMDC, Taste of Victory and TBC Racing, both were bred by Mapleton Farm, both are sons of Dominus, both are coming off solid pace pressing efforts, and both will make their sophomore debuts with Lasix.

Whew!

Rogues A Plotting heads to post in the 3rd race (1:11 p.m.) and will face only 6 rivals. Trainer Penny Rone will have Luis Rivera back in the saddle. He will break from post position 2 and has a morning line of 7-5. Dr. Spirito will operate in the 10th (4:27 p.m.) final race of the afternoon in a field of 8. Alexander Crispin was named by Megan Fadlovich to ride in the 6- furlong dash.

Racing on Monday’s undercard in the 2nd race (12:43 p.m.) is Commissioner D. The 6- furlong race is for Accredited-bred Fillies and Mares running for a $6,500 tag, representing a class drop for the 5-year-old. The Mapleton-bred daughter of Mobil won 3 of her 9 starts last season for trainer Megan Fadlovich. Idle since November 5, Commissioner D has posted a series of four solid works at Mahoning for her first start of the season. Mauro Cedillo is set to ride for HMDC and Taste of Victory Stable.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The waiting has just begun. Mother Nature has no regard for all of the positive points of our stable. Her harsh hand of frigid temperatures slapped

Mahoning Valley with conditions forcing cancellation of Monday’s races. Hopefully

the same races will come back soon as we are ready to run.