BUSY WEEK AT THE RACES STARTS WITH A STAKES PLACING AND A WIN- ACTION SCHEDULED THROUGH THE WEEK

Gray Perfection had a "Perfect" trip under Luis Rivera for her third career victory.  Photo courtesy J.J. Zamaiko

Let’s rewind the calendar to Ohio Derby Day at Thistledown. The final day of Spring was picture-perfect with awesome weather and competitive racing with three Ohio stakes, a $250,000 listed stake and the 92nd running of the $500,000 Ohio Derby. Quality fields and large purses bring out the best horses and horseman and in turn was met by a festive crowd and plenty of television exposure. The popular Jessica Paquette hosted the pre-race and winner’s circle interviews. Nationally prominent jockeys Jose Ortiz, Flavian Prat and Tyler Gaffalione headed a star-studded group of reinsmen. The powers to beat North Randall oval put on a impressive show as new wood boards were put in place in all saddling stalls and the grassy infield had a fresh haircut –the bottom line results of their effort – a $5,793,120 day!

HMDC Racing stables 6year old mare Lofty Cowtown went to post in the 6 furlong $75,000 Dr. T.F. Classen Stakes on Derby Day. She ran second in this race last year when Authoritarian Girl controlled all the pace – as that foe has four of the last five times they met! Didn’t mean to spoil the end, but it was a repeat T.F. Classen exacta – Authoritarian Girl/Lofty Cowtown - a Mapleton Farm Bred exacta too!

“Lofty” swung five-wide with vigor into the lane, but her familiar rival was alone in front and in control by two lengths at the wire. “Lofty” has been a honest runner through her 26-race career bankrolling $227,988. Jose Bracho has taken over riding duties and she races out of the Justin Radosevich barn.

On Monday HMDC, Taste of Victory and TBC Racing’s Gray Perfection scored a win for the home team. The 3-year-old daughter of Creative Cause, bred by Huntertown Farm, was entered against Registered Buckeye elders in a $38,000 allowance sprint at 5 1⁄2 furlongs. The complexion of the race changed shortly after the start as the heavy odds-on favorite lost her action and unseated jockey Rocco Bowen. When opportunity knocks – open the door. Gray Perfection under Luis Rivera had a perfect trip, and under a confident ride took control at the 1/8th pole to win by 1 1⁄2 lengths. The sophomore miss now sports a 7-3-1-1 record for $79,306.

We have a trio of starters going to post this week, with two entered on Tuesday. In the second race, Spun in Dominus will again run for a $32,000 purse carrying a $50,000 tag going six panels with Accredited-bred company. Last time out she was bumped at the start and finished third. The stakes-placed Mike Rone 3-year-old trainee will be shopping for her third win and have Luis Rivera back in the saddle.

In Tuesday’s seventh race, Commissioner D will try to go over the $100,000 earnings mark. Now conditioned by Justin Radosevich, the 5-year-old mare will face other Accredited-breds entered for a $7,500 tag and he will break from the inside post with David Haldar in the irons. This should be an interesting race to watch as “Commish” is a late running sprinter – just like all but one of the mares in the field.

I Belong First will represent HMDC and Taste of Victory in the first race on Thursday. The race is carded as a one-mile event for registered state-bred fillies and mares shopping for their third win that offers a $21,400 purse racing with a $16,000 claiming price. While the daughter of Cowtown Cat is an Accredited-bred, under these conditions it’s a pretty even playing field. On the plus side, I Belong First is making a substantial class drop after early trouble in her last start. Jose Bracho will be back in the saddle for conditioner Justin Radosevich.