THE ACTION CONTINUES THIS WEEK AT THISTLEDOWN AS TWO HMDC AND PARTNERS RUNNERS HEAD TO POST
As the creation of the HMDC partnerships continue to grow – so does the action. We have two starters in the week ahead and both have legitimate claims to add to our growing bankroll. First up is Fortheloveofbonnie who has two very positive things going for her in the second race on Tuesday. In search of her second win, the HMDC and Taste of Victory colorbearer will be making a significant drop in class,while facing other Accredited foes sprinting 5 1⁄2 furlongs for a $16,000 claiming price.
In addition to softer company, she will pick up the services of Gerardo Corrales for trainer Justin Radosevich. Gerardo Corrales? Yes, the same Gerardo Corrales who won the riding title in 2019 at Thistledown! You may have seen him last locally when he rode Two Phils to victory in the Ohio Derby. He built momentum through Turfway Park and Kentucky circuits earning a reputation for consistency and strong finishing ability. Among his 1,048 wins are multiple graded stakes wins, most notably 2023 Breeders Cup Turf Sprint G1 victory aboard Nobals. How long he will be back in town is unknown – but we are more than happy to have him riding for us.
On Wednesday I Belong First hopes to live up to her name in the 7th race. The 4-year-old racing for HMDC and Taste of Victory Stables is tagged as the morning line favorite in this 1 mile, $16,000 claiming event. I Belong First performs her best at this route distance, usually being on or near the lead. Regular rider Jose Bracho will be back in the irons for Justin Radosevich, hoping that early running style will last to the wire.
Like Fortheloveofbonnie, I Belong First is a product of the award-winning Mapleton Farm breeding program. She will be facing some familiar foes running for the $21,400 purse. Most notable among them is Pride and Attitude, a mare that has swapped positions with I Belong First on multiple occasions
