Contact Information:
Bob Roberts (216-662-8600)
May 14, 2009
www.thistledown.com
Ohio Racing Takes To Road Tuesday: "Time To Be Heard" Rally In Columbus
Under the battle cry of "Time To Be Heard," Ohio's horse racing industry will hold a rally at the South Plaza of the State House in Columbus on Tuesday at 10 a.m.
"Racing needs help and our rally is to convince our state senators and representatives to include expanded gambling or casino type games at the seven Ohio tracks in the next biannual budget," said Lisa Schwartz of Washington Court House, who is organizing the rally.
Schwartz is the wife of Bob Schwartz, a veterinarian at Midland Acres in Bloomingburg; one of Ohio's top standard bred breeding farms. She started the rally idea with $500, money needed for a permit and security.
"That's the beginning, but a lot of people are now involved," said Schwartz. "Our goal is to get 1,000 people at the State House. We want horsemen, track officials, vets blacksmiths, anybody who makes a living from racing. At stake are racing's 16,000 direct jobs and 42,000 indirect jobs."
Schwartz believes the rally could prove key to Ohio racing gaining relief.
"We are tired of surrounding states getting Ohio's gambling dollars and Ohioans getting nothing for it. What we have to do is let the Legislator know that we are out here; that we are real people with real concerns about our future. We need help and we need it now. Otherwise a lot of jobs are going to be lost."
PREAKNESS PATTER -- The second leg of the Triple Crown goes to the post Saturday and Thistledown is the only place to watch and wager on it. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. There will be advance wagering on the Preakness on Friday. The race is shaping up as a showdown between Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird and Kentucky Oaks winner Rachel Alexandra. The Preakness will also feature Big Drama, who is owned by former Lodi resident, Harold Queen.
GRAND VICTORY --- Huber Villa-Gomez, Thistledown's champion rider in 2003 and 2004, notched the 1,000th victory of his career in Monday's third race astride Sneak a Cold Treat. It didn't take Villa-Gomez too long to notch victory No. 1,001. He did so in Monday's eighth race aboard It Is the Way . . . Josh Faulkner, pinch-hitting for his ailing grandfather, Joe Faulkner, saddled his first winner when Pappa Joe's Glitter Canyon won Monday's fourth race at Thistledown.
THE LEADERBOARD -- After eight days of the 41-day Summit-Thistle Meeting, Ernesto Oro is the leading rider with nine victories. Weldon Cloninger Jr. is second with six scores. Three riders -- Victor Urieta, Christian Pilares and Filmer Munaylla -- are tied for third with four winners . . . Former rider Tony Rini tops the trainer standings with four victories. Six others, including defending champion Jeff Radosevich, are tied for second with three triumphs. Jerry Noss, one of the six, is a perfect three-for-three.
FEED BAG --- River Maam took out nearly two seasons of frustration on her six rivals in Friday's second race at Thistledown. The eight-year-old mare won by 8 1/4 lengths, snapping a 34-race losing streak at either Suffolk Downs in Boston or Tampa Bay Downs in Florida. River Maam is owned by Marilyn Boggs and trained by Jerry Noss. She was ridden by Ernesto Oro . . .Top trainer Tony Rini saddled a winner for an old saddle rival when She's Simply Sweet won Thursday's ninth race. The four-year-old filly is owned in partnership by Danny Weiler, who battled Rini at Cleveland area tracks back in the 1960's.