LUST FOR LIFE SET TO GO TO POST THURSDAYQUESTION IS... WEATHER HE RUNS

HMDC and its racing partners are used to watching their horses compete on the racetrack. In recent weeks our main competition hasn’t taken place while striding out to the finish line – our chance to win has been negated without ever stepping out of the stall – compliments of a cruel winter

Trainer Megan Fadlovich is keeping her sunny side up despite the weather.

“You just need a lot of patience, it’s all going to turn around eventually,” stated trainer Megan Fadlovich after completing her daily routine on Tuesday. “You just meet the daily challenges you get. We still have a daily routine to complete, whether the sun is shining or not. Sometimes you may cancel plans or you may decide that the weather is actually better than forecasted and you have to do things that day.” Trainers point to the race day competition in their preparation of each runner and when conditions cancel a scheduled program, it’s time for a re-boot. “You just have to play it by ear, every horse is different, you breeze them accordingly and train them when you can and there’s not a whole lot more that you can do,” said Megan, while somehow maintaining a bright attitude through these dark winter days. As things are going, expect a deep-freeze winter squall to arrive on Thursday at 12:15 p.m. That’s when Lust for Life is scheduled to step into the starting gate for the first race at Mahoning Valley vs. six well-seasoned veterans of the racing game. A $24,300 purse awaits the winning connections in this $10,000 claiming event that will be contested at the sprint distance of 5 furlongs. The term “well-seasoned” is aptly applied to this group of older horses. Collectively they have made 233 starts with 46 wins and earnings of $1,143,990. Lust for Life is shopping for his first win since January 19 of ’25 and the class drop here may suit him well. Trainer Penny Rone has named Luis Rivera to ride the 5-year-old Mapleton-bred for HMDC and Taste of Victory Stable.

RACING NEWS ALERT !

Late entries for Mahoning Valley – Monday, February 9

Rogues a Plotting

Race: 2 - 12:43 PM Exacta / 50 cent Trifecta / 10 cent Superfecta / Double 50 cent Pick 3 (Races 2-3-4)

MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT

Purse: $ 31,800. (Includes $7,500 - OTF - Ohio Thoroughbred Fund) For Accredited Ohio Bred Maidens, Three Years Old. Weight, 122 Lbs. Six Furlongs.

Commissioner D

Race: 3 - 1:11 PM Exacta / 50 cent Trifecta / 10 cent Superfecta / Double 50 cent Pick 3 (Races 3-4-5)

CLAIMING $6,500

Purse: $ 17,500. (Includes $3,000 - OTF - Ohio Thoroughbred Fund)For Accredited Ohio Bred Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward Which Have Not Won Two Races Since August 9. Three Year Olds, 118 Lbs.; Older, 126 Lbs. Non-winners Of A Race Since January 5 Allowed 2 Lbs. Claiming Price $6,500. Six Furlongs.

Dr. Spirito

Race: 6 - 2:35 PM Exacta / 50 cent Trifecta / 10 cent Superfecta / Double 50 cent Pick 3 (Races 6-7-8) / 50 cent Pick 5 (Races 6-10) 50% Carryover

MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT

Purse: $ 31,800. (Includes $7,500 - OTF - Ohio Thoroughbred Fund)For Accredited Ohio Bred Maidens, Three Years Old. Weight, 122 Lbs. Six Furlongs.

All three of these runners were originally scheduled to run last week. Refer to last week’s blog for profiles of each runner.