Contact Information:
Bob Roberts (216-662-8600)
July 10, 2008
www.thistledown.com
Ayers Ratliff has been named to replace Matt Hook as track announcer and voice of Thistledown. He will begin his duties with the race card of Saturday, July 12.
Ratliff, 31, has been the full-time track announcer at Northfield Park since last year. He was the harness track's backup race caller since 1999. Ratliff was also the voice of Scioto Downs in Columbus from 2005 through 2007.
"Although it's all horse racing, thoroughbred racing is much different from harness racing," said Ratliff. "I'll keep it simple until I really learn the sport."
Hook is leaving Thistledown to become track announcer at the under-construction Pinnacle Race Course in suburban Detroit, Mi.
"We wish Matt the best of luck in Michigan and at the same time welcome Ayers," said Thistledown spokesman, Bob Roberts. "I've heard Ayers call many a race and he brings not only accuracy to the announcer's booth, but excitement as well."
Ratliff, a 2006 graduate of Ohio State University, has worn many hats. In addition to race calling at commercial tracks and nearly two dozen Buckeye county fairs, he is a legal assistant in Marion, Oh. The native of Wellington, OH has also been a councilman since 2006 for the city of Marion where he resides.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge of calling races at Thistledown," said Ratliff. "It will further my career in the horse racing industry while offering me personal and professional growth."
Ratliff is married. He and wife Heidi have two sons, Dusty, 10, and Del, 9.
LEWIS MEMORIAL PREVIEW --- The $50,000 George Lewis Memorial, which honors the memory of the late and great handicapper for The Cleveland Plain Dealer, will go to the post at Thistledown on Saturday. The 1 1/8-mile test for Ohio-bred handicap horses has attracted seven runners. Heading the field is defending champion Acts Like A King, who romped by six lengths in the June 14 Gendelman Handicap at River Downs. Catlaunch and Head To Toe, the runner-up and third-place finishers, respectively, in last year's Lewis, are also in contention, as well as Forest Picnic, winner of the 2005 Lewis.
LEADERBOARD --- The length of the Summit-Thistledown Meeting, which was originally thought to run 46 days and conclude on July 3, actually runs 51 days and will end on July 17. Through Monday (July 7) and with five programs remaining, the jockeys' derby is very competitive. Louis Stokes took the lead Monday and has 32 winners. Jeffrey Skerrett is just one winner behind Stokes, and Weldon Cloninger, at 30 winners, is just one winner behind Skerrett. He is followed by Ernesto Oro and Luis Gonzalez at 27 winners. In the trainers' race, Jeff Radosevich leads a fast-closing Rodney Faulkner, 31 to 26 winners. Burton Sipp and Tim Hamm are tied for third at 18 winners.
HOT HAMM -- Thistledown horseman Tim Hamm had himself quite a Sunday, winning races at two tracks and placing at a third. Hamm, as an owner-trainer, won the eighth (Little Darby) and 10th (Title Princess) races at Thistledown, as well as the 11th race at River Downs with Buzz Bunny. Hamm missed a fourth winner at a third different track when his pupil, The Unbelievable, finished third in the fourth race at Presque Isle Downs.
FEED BAG --- Jockey Felipe Santos, who won Monday's fourth race aboard Jackie's Hope, is closing in on a saddle milestone. He has 997 career victories…Just a reminder for those interested in attending a meeting of the Ohio State Racing Commission, this month's session will be held at Thistledown on July 17. It's slated for the sixth floor Bistro at 10 a.m. and the public is welcome…Horsemen are reminded that a health fair will be held at the HBPA Office on Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Glucose, blood pressure, and sickle cell anemia screenings will be available, as will mammograms and eye/glaucoma check-ups. The health fair is being sponsored by Thistledown chaplain Rev. Vincent Harris, and the NorthEast Ohio Neighborhood Health Services, Inc.'s Mammogram Connection/Fund Development Dept.
Get Hook’d From The Top
Each week Thistledown Announcer Matt Hook will share his thoughts on the Thistledown races and what to watch out for in coming weeks.
Thursday (7/03) We saw the debut of Naughty Nebbiolo. One look was all it took for the Buckeye daughter of Silic. It wasn't that she won but how she won that caught my eye. She was well back early and began a wide rally. She was wide enough that she may have had to go an extra furlong. Still she was able to win. She may have experience issues, but the talent is certainly there. We saw that. If she can put it all together she may have just started a win streak.
Friday (7/04) Diamond Lass has developed into a serious race horse. She has started the season a perfect two for two. The field she beat on this day was extremely solid. She beat some really nice racehorses. I don't know if she will stretch out. That may be the next test for the Donn Rowe trainee. If she can, she may soon find herself in stakes competition. This filly has the look of a really good one. Make sure you add her to your horses to watch list.
Saturday (7/05) Burley A rolled off a second consecutive score. He was in all sorts of trouble at the top of the stretch. Fortunately for jockey Tommy Meyers the rail did finally open up and the horse was able to overcome the rail difficulty. This horse has always been a decent sort. No question he is currently on the top of his game. A good ride plus a good horse usually equates to a good result. It certainly did in this case.
Sunday (7/06) An interesting handicapping angle here at Thistledown proved true once again. In general, the Ohio breds at Thistledown seem to be superior to those from other tracks in Ohio. Brother Thomas was sent off at 3-5. He most recently had easily won a race at River Downs. I'm not saying he couldn't of won, but he didn't and finished third. Two local horses filled out a big exacta. The form on these ship-ins may appear better than the reality is. Keep it in mind.
Monday (7/07) Online was able to do it for subscribers of this list. A last to first effort was in the cards. The 5/2 price was generous considering how good he looked on paper. There is no question that he likes to go long. If he hooks a similar group in his next start he should be able to win right back. I will be playing him right back. This horse has been good to my pocketbook throughout his career. That's all one can ask of an equine athlete.