ROLL ON BIG O NOT A DUD IN THE MUD

The Meteorologists say Ohio is in a drought – not when our blaze-faced gelding Roll On Big O is racing lately. In his start previous to Thursdays, on October 29, he ran a creditable second as the favorite over a sloppy and sealed surface at Mahoning Valley. Back in a spot against similar company Thursday, he wasgreeted by a tiring “Muddy” track. David Haldar tracked the two leaders along the rail in the early going with “Big O” being roused by his rider at the 3-furlong pole. He responded willingly to take the lead from the first leader, who wrested it back briefly, but our Mapleton-bred came back determinedly to hold off the favorite in a three-horse photo...for second. The registered splashed on the front all the way, while recording his third win on an off track. Megan reports that “Big O” came back tired from his effort in the mud but cleaned up his feed tub. She also states that the same race will be contested on December 17. Pray for sunshine. As it turns out, I Belong First actually belonged in her stall rather than race Thursday. Megan discovered that the HMDC/Taste of Victory filly was showing signs of not being 100% and she took the cautious route and scratched her on race day morning.