Contact Information:
Bob Roberts (216-662-8600)
April 10, 2008
www.thistledown.com
Colts And Fillies Take To Track As Thistledown Opens For Training
The boys are back in town. So are the girls. Thistledown, preparing to launch its 2008 thoroughbred racing season on May 1, is once again home to mornings on the backstretch. The one-mile oval, considered one of the safest and fairest in North America, opened for training Saturday April 5.
Since then, dozens of colts and fillies have begun jogging or working themselves into shape for the 122-day season that will stretch through Oct. 25. Eye Cant Look Back, who won her career debut at Thistledown last Nov. 10, has been the most impressive runner to work. The sophomore daughter of Explicit out of the Slew City Slew mare, Eye Slew The City, drilled a half-mile in 46 3/5 seconds on Monday, easily the fastest of six works at the distance.
The quickest three furlong work to date was turned in Wednesday morning (April 9) by Burning Element who zipped the three-eights of a mile in 35 3/5 seconds. The four-year-old roan gelding, a three-time winner last year in Michigan, is trained by John Rupert.
A stakes-placed runner was out Wednesday morning as the Joe Shuman-trained Nakagawa, second in the last summer's Miss Ohio at Thistledown, worked three furlongs in 36 3/5 seconds.
FASOLA AT DERBY (AGAIN)? --- John Fasola of Hudson, who saw his colors fly in the 2006 Kentucky Derby when represented by West Point Stable's Flashy Bull (14th place), may get back to Churchill Downs for the May 3rd renewal of America's No. 1 horse race. Fasola is again a West Point partner, this time on a colt named Kohana, who is unbeaten in two career starts. The son of Indian Charlie is scheduled to run in Saturday's $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park.
"The trainer (Rick Violette) says the horse is a runner," said Fasola. "Of course, we need a big effort in Arkansas to get to the Derby, but at least we have a shot. I said getting a horse in the Kentucky Derby was a dream. Getting another one there would be unbelievable."
Thistledown Track Talk Returns to KNR2 On Thursday Nights
Thistledown Track Talk, Thistledown’s thoroughbred radio show, returns for the second season on Thursday evenings live from 6-7 p.m. on KNR2 1540 a.m. The first show will air tonight, Thursday, April 10th.
The show is hosted by Thistledown TV Analyst Rich Ruda. Ruda will talk about Thistledown racing as well as the nation’s top horses and premier Thoroughbred events and will also feature special guests, horseracing trivia, contests and giveaways and some hot handicapping tips. Listeners can call the radio show hotline and ask Rich a question or share their comments – the phone number is 216-583-9527.
THE FEED BAG --- Danny Sez, who calls Thistledown home, scored at Mountaineer Park on Saturday (April 5), rallying to win a $28,400 allowance race. The Donn Rowe-trainee, who was unplaced in last year's Ohio Derby, was ridden by another Thistledown regular, Victor Urieta. Danny Sez was timed five furlongs in 58 2/5 seconds . . . Delightful Kiss, the upset winner of last year's Ohio Derby, is back in training for 2008. Trainer Pete Anderson worked the colt a slow half-mile (51 2/5 seconds) at Calder Race Course in Miami on April 3 . . . 2007 Ohio Horse of the Year, King of the Roxy tired from his early efforts to finish sixth in Saturday's Grade I $300,000 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct . . . Thistledown will offer two unique wagers this weekend, the Maker's Mark-Toyota Blue Grass Stakes on Friday, and the Premier Pick Four on Saturday, which consists of the two stakes from Keeneland (Commonwealth and Blue Grass) and two from Oaklawn (Instant Racing Cup and Arkansas Derby). Both wagers are $1 . . . The Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders held their annual elections last week for trustees to its board. Elected for three-year terms were Dr. Paul Gutheil, David Inglis, Terrence Blair, Richard Coreno & Dr. James Gabel. Officers elected by the Board were Tim Hamm, president; David Inglis, vice president, Dennis Heebink, treasurer & Gary Aiken, secretary.