Contact Information:
Bob Roberts (216-662-8600)
July 1, 2008
www.thistledown.com
Marble Cliff Moves To Head Of Buckeye Class With13-Length Cleveland Gold Cup Laugher
Foxwood Stable's Marble Cliff, proving once again that if he gets a clean trip, he's unbeatable, toyed with his 13 rivals in Saturday's (June 28th) $100,000 Cleveland Gold Cup at Thistledown, winning off by 13 lengths.
The victory was the fourth in five career starts for Marble Cliff. His combined margin of victory in the quartet of triumphs is 39 1/4 lengths. Marble Cliff's lone defeat came in the May 31 Green Carpet, a turf race at River Downs, when he had a troubled trip and finished second, beaten just a length.
"While we're very happy with today's race, in all honesty, he should probably be undefeated," said William Cowans, the trainer of Marble Cliff.
Ridden by Luis Martinez, Jr, the dark brown son of Jump Start raced in mid-pack in the bulky Gold Cup field of Ohio-bred three-year-olds until asked for run with a half-mile to go. He readily accepted the challenged. Collaring the pacesetting Pyrite Gem at the three-eights pole, Marble Cliff quickly opened a daylight lead. When the field turned into the stretch he had built a seven-length lead. Martinez was merely a passenger to the finish line.
"He did it so easily," said Martinez. "This horse will run all day."
Formal Arrangement, attempting to become just the fourth filly in the 41-year-history of the Gold Cup, rallied for second money, with Allsarott third. Marble Cliff, who ran the Gold Cup's 1 1/8-miles in 1:52 over a track turned sloppy by late afternoon rains, earned $60,000. He paid $7.80 for a $2 win ticket.
Foxwood Stable, which owns Marble Cliff, is a racing partnership of Joe Sugar Jr, who bred the colt, and Charlie Ruma. Both are the owners of Beulah Park in suburban Columbus.
"Bring on Big Brown," said Sugar, referring to the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner.
Cowans said Marble Cifff will probably make his next start in an Ohio stakes race and be pointed for Thistledown's Governor's Buckeye Cup on Sept. 1.
RACE TO WIRE --- Thistledown's jockey race is apparently going to be decided Thursday, the last day of the 46-day Summit-Thistledown Meeting. Jeffrey Skerrett is the leader with 31 winners, but Weldon Cloninger Jr. is just two winners off the pace. Louis Stokes is third with 27 winners, followed by Ernesto Oro at 26 winners. Skerrett is listed on four horses on Thursday, while Cloninger is named on five horses . . .The trainers' race was been decided for quite some time. Jeff Radosevich is the leader and champion with 30 winners. Rodney Faulkner is second with 22 winners.
COMMISSION CALLING -- If you want to see the Ohio State Racing Commission in action, then mark Thursday, July 17 on your events calendar. The OSRC will hold its monthly meeting at Thistledown, starting at 10 a.m. in the sixth floor Bistro. All Commission meetings are open to the public and fans are welcome to not only attend but to participate with questions or comments when recognized by the OSRC chairman.
SO SAYS ANNE --- Thistledown jockey Anne Sanguinetti was featured in the June 21 edition of Thoroughbred Times. In an article written by Joe Neville, Sanguinetti spoke about how she fidgeted during graduation ceremonies at Pepperdine University in 2004. "I graduated on (Kentucky) Derby and I remember I was sitting through the whole ceremony looking at my watch and going, "Hurry up, the Derby's gonna run." Sanguinetti rode her first race the following day at Hollywood Park. She remembers her mom saying on graduation day, "I think you're the only graduate sitting here that's going to work tomorrow in your chosen field."
FEED BAG --- Hobeau Farm's Delightful Kiss, winner of last year's Ohio Derby, was unable to deliver the stretch punch that carried him to victory at Thistledown and finished sixth in last Saturday's Grade II $300,000 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap. He collected $6,000 for his efforts . . .A bake sale, with proceeds and donations benefiting the Don MacBeth Memorial Fund for disabled jockeys, will be held Saturday on the grandstand apron . . . Stall applications for Thistledown's Randall (July 4 thru Sept. 1) and the season-ending Cranwood Meeting (Sept. 2 thru Oct. 25) are available in the racing office as well as on line at www.thistledown.com (under the horsemen category)… Former Thistledown mutuels manager Laura Bennett last week accepted a similar post at Pinnacle Race Course, the suburban Detroit thoroughbred track that is scheduled to open on July 18. Bennett is a Michigan native.
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 (6/19) Who had ever heard of the Mojave County Fair before Mystic Charger came to Thistledown? This guy has now fired off three in a row including his first two here. Trainer John Schmitt has them ready from Mojave and his entire barn seems to be having success. None have had the immediate success of this guy. Hopefully for the connections he can continue his win streak in his next start.
Friday (6/20) I Got To made both her yearly and Thistledown debut on this day. Trainer Gerald Bennett sent her out against the boys. She more than likely was in need of the race. I'm guessing she is now ready for a peak performance. Look for her to return against her own kind and do much better next time out.
Saturday (6/21) We had the 6th running of the J. William Petro Memorial Handicap today. Pay the Man was again in fine form. She has dominated in five of six career efforts here at Thistledown. To put it simply, she is simply the best Buckeye lady in the land. Congratulations to Pyrite Stables, trainer Miguel Feliciano, and jockey Andrew Ramgeet. She has been a pleasure to watch race here throughout her career.
Does anybody remember Imahoneytoo? Of course you do. She has been a fixture in Ohio female stakes competition. Her younger sister Honey's Luck made her debut on the Petro under card. In the post parade I remarked about how much she resembled her elder sis in appearance. It looks like she also picked up some of her talent. She was away horribly. She still hit a high gear and managed to pass many rivals in the stretch while finishing third. I don't expect her to be a maiden much longer.
Sunday (6/22) Sometimes this list can really pay dividends. Too Too Crafty came off the list and scored. He paid a generous $11.00 to win. I reminded you to put him on your horses to watch list and I hope you did. Congratulations to subscribers of this publication as we put yet another one in the winner’s circle.
Monday (6/23) The public gave strong consideration to Armored Truck. Unfortunately for the public he hopped at the start. His chances were severely compromised by that start. Against a field as competitive as this, that was all it took to seal his fate. I think he can compete at this level, especially with a better beginning. Look for him to go off at a better price in his next start and perhaps supply us with a decent mutuel in the process.
Thursday (6/26) The public was in for a treat on this day. The 12th race of the day featured some of the best on the grounds. Meadow Vespers won it by a hard fought nose. Trainer Richard Rettele has made it no secret that this horse wants to go further than today's distance of six furlongs. Considering that, it is amazing he was still able to win. I expect him to win his next start as well especially if it is a route race. I thought that Hot Chili had won the race when I was calling it. The three-year-old Michigander was in against steep elder competition. He showed no respect for his elders as he gave them everything they could handle. If back in against his own age group he will be ultra tough to deny.
Friday (6/27) Thistledown mainstay Matching Colors was once again a winner. That makes it 15 lifetime victories for this veteran at the North Randall oval. He has now hit the board in 40 of 62 local efforts. What a consistent old warrior. It is obvious that he loves to compete and that he thrives here at Thistledown. To leave him out of wagers usually proves costly to the bettor. I love this guy.
Saturday (6/28) Look out we have a monster alert! The Cleveland Gold Cup looked like the most competitive stakes field assembled here in some time. Boy was that feeling incorrect. Marble Cliff looked like a man amongst boys (and two girls). A jaw-dropping romp in the Thistledown slop earned him his CGC trophy. Congratulations to Foxwood Stable, trainer William Cowans, and jockey Luis Martinez Jr. If this horse continues to race like this, we may have the next Buckeye superstar on our hands. I think we do.
Sunday (6/29) I remember Dangel from his younger years when I was at Great Lakes Downs. At one point in his career he was actually competitive against stakes company. Those days seem to be far behind him, although he still shows the competitive spirit from within. Many miles later I look upon a horse that still has the will to win. A poor start on this day cost him any and all chance of winning. He still managed a third place finish. You will most likely see this veteran in the winner’s circle in the near future. Add him to your horses to watch list.
Monday (6/30) Sahab seemed to enjoy the off track here today. He went off favored and justified his favoritism with a nice win. Trainer Rodney Faulkner has turned over his stable substantially this season. Because of the new blood in his barn I think Rodney is going to have an outstanding season. He always does well, but I expect him to do especially well this year. Check out the entries and keep an eye on Rodney's new shooters.