Trainer Mike Rone delivered a knockout punch with Smokin Joe

Smokin Joe punched the competitions lights out while graduating to the winners ranks. It was a July 22 event at Thistledown with a $33,900 purse for Accredited Ohio-bred 2-year-olds. Jockey Luis Rivera saved ground along the rail with Smokin Joe in the early going of the 5 ½ furlong sprint. They swept clear into the stretch, ran past the pacesetters to a widening 3-length win.

HMDC partners with Taste of Victory Stable on the gelded juvenile by Duncan Farm’s Mobil out of Nevergonnahappen by Elusive Quality, and was bred by Mapleton Thoroughbreds. Trained by Mike Rone, who handles the male division of the HMDC runners, Smokin Joe’s performance indicated that he can certainly “go the distance.”

Out in California a Smokin C LLC-bred went to post at Del Mar. Owner Steven Chumney placed the Ohio-bred in the ’23 Keeneland September yearling sale where the filly brought a final bid of $25,000. Now owned by Dacmac Ventures et al, she was entered in a $80,000 claiming event that carried a $45,000 purse.

Named Rapida, the 2-year-old daughter of Country House out of Lightning Lucy by Giant’s Causeway, was rapid out of the gate and chased the pacesetter throughout, wrested the lead and came up a head short at the wire. She is trained by Ryan Hansen.

Coming up July 31 – HDMC’s Roll On Big O (Cowtown Cat out of Echt by Fusiachi Pegasus) takes a big class drop in the 6th race. The Mapleton-bred is trained by Milke Rone and is installed as the pre-race favorite.