'THISTLEDOWN’ 100-DAY MEET GETS UNDERWAY – HMDC and PARTNERSWILL SEE THREE RUNNERS OPENING WEEK

TDN Starting Gate

After the long fall and winter stand at Mahoning Valley Racetrack in Youngstown, the Ohio Thoroughbred circuit is on the move. Spring and summer action in the Buckeye State begins with Thistledown’s meet opener on Monday in North Randall, just outside of Cleveland. Belterra Park in Cincinnati will follow, opening its season on Friday, May 1. An eight-race Monday program kicks off Thistledown’s 100-day live racing season, which runs through Oct. 8. The track runs four days a week, generally on a Monday-Thursday schedule. I Belong First will be the first representative of our stable to go to post this week in Monday’s 7th race and with her comes a new face to the team.

Add another name to the Radosevich family tree–Justin. He is a son of top Ohio trainer Jeff Radosevich - a family rich in racing tradition on every level. As one would expect, Justin grew up ducking under webbings to attend to one of his father’s horses since he could carry a bucket. He has learned excellent horsemanship under his father's tutelage and early indications are that the apple has not fallen far from the tree. Mapleton homebred I Belong First will give him a chance to see what he has in his care now. It is a tall task, as the now 4-year-old is the only horse moving up in claiming price, as the other nine entrants are making a move from the allowance ranks to the $50,000 claiming level. Jose Bracho is named to ride in the 6-furlong dash. On Tuesday, trainer Mike Rone will send out Rogues a Plotting for HMDC, Taste of Victory and TBC Racing in the afternoon’s 5th race. The Mapleton-bred son of Dominus will join eight others running with a $50,000 claiming price for the $32,000 purse. Rogues a Plotting has really grown into himself and has recorded both of his career wins this season with Luis Rivera aboard in the 6- furlong affair. We have yet to see how he will perform over a fast track, as all four of his starts have come over muddy or good surfaces.

Next up is Smokin Joe, who looks to be favored in Wednesday's 2nd race. The 4-year-old will making a favorable class drop to a $16,000 tag in the $21,900 sprint. The Mike Rone trainee has been a consistent money maker for HMDC and Taste of Victory stable and is closing in on the $100,000 mark while sporting a 9-3-1-3 lifetime record with a stakes-placing. The gelded son of Mobil will take on his accredited-bred brethren with veteran Luis Rivera in the irons. He has been working steadily for this 2026 seasonal debut.

RECENT PUBLISHED WORKOUTS

Spun in Dominus (3-Year-Old Filly)

Date: April 20,2026

Track: THISTLEDOWN

Distance: Four Furlongs

Time: 49:40 Breezing

Track Condition: Fast

Surface: Dirt

Rank: 4/10

Commissioner D (5-Year-Old Mare)

Date: April 20, 2026

Track: THISTLEDOWN

Distance: Four Furlongs

Time: 49:80 Breezing

Track Condition: Fast

Surface: Dirt

Rank: 5/10