FortheloveofBonnie fresh off a rest and a bullet work hopes to get back to her winning ways on Wednesday at Mahoning Valley.
I believe it was Hall of Fame trainer Woody Stephens who said, “Keep yourself in the best of company, and your horse in the worst.” That scenario will play itself out in the fourth race on Wednesday at Mahoning Valley as HMDC and Taste of Victory’s FortheloveofBonnie makes her first foray into the claiming ranks.
Now a 4-year-old, the Mapleton-bred hasn’t seen the winner’s circle since her debut. Throughout her career she has faced stakes or allowance foes and she will get serious class relief as she enters her first claiming race. In her limited 8-race career she has consistently challenged $35,000 allowance company, on Wednesday, “Bonnie” goes to post with a $10,000 claiming tag – a big drop, but a needed one.
The gray filly has shown that she runs better after a break in training and she may have signaled a readiness for her return on October 15 when she had a best of 19 bullet workout getting four furlongs in :48. Trainer Justin Radosevich sent her out for a casual maintenance work on October 27 when she travelled the same distance in a leisurely :52. Jose Bracho will return for the ride for the 6-fulong dash that carries a $19,400 purse.
SMOKIN’ C-BRED LIGHTS UP THE $100,000 BEST OF OHIO
Congrats to partner Steven Chumney and his Smokin C LLC-bred Panda Listen who put in an eye-popping performance in the recent $100,000 Best of Ohio John Galbreath Memorial at Mahoning Valley. Panda Listen joins the long list of Chumney’s success at the sales. The 2-year-old registered daughter of Tiz the Law brought a final bid of $200,000 at the Ocala April sale by Emcee Stable. After breaking her maiden in the $100,000 Miss Ohio Stakes, trainer Brendan Walsh ventured to Del Mar for the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante where she led for a half-mile and faded.
Back home, she had no problem stretching her speed against her state-bred foes. Under Albin Jimenez, she increased her lead at every point of call,winning by a stunning 11 3⁄4 lengths. That effort should easily see her crowned Ohio’s champion 2-year-old filly – congrats to Steven!
