Contact Information:
Bob Roberts (216-662-8600)
May 15, 2008
www.thistledown.com
Thistledown Turns Its Attention To Readying For May 31st Ohio Derby
The wheels are beginning to turn to get the $300,00 Grade II Ohio Derby front and center at Thistledown. The annual centerpiece race of the northern Ohio thoroughbred season, the Ohio Derby will be run for the 74th time on May 31.
Thistledown Vice-President, General Manager Brent Reitz, and Director of Mutuels Bob Hickey, confirmed on Monday that the Derby will be the ninth race on a 10-race program with a post time of 5:27 p.m.
"We have the No. 1 stakes race in the country that day," said Reitz. "The Derby is our top race and we're anticipating a great afternoon of racing."
Bill Couch, Thistledown's Director of Racing, reminds horsemen that nominations to the Ohio Derby close on Monday, May 19th.
"So far the list of possible starters looks very positive," said Couch.
The Ohio Derby field will be finalized on Wednesday, May 28th, at a noon post position luncheon.
Preakness Day Is This Saturday
Catch the Preakness Stakes this Saturday (5/17), the second leg of America’s Triple Crown. Big Brown is back for round two and Thistledown is the only place in northeast Ohio to watch and wager on the Preakness action. Doors open early at 10 a.m.
Guests can play the $2,000 Preakness Picks Contest. Each guest 18 years and older will receive an entry blank at the door from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Select the top four finishers in the Preakness Stakes for cash prizes.
Silks Restaurant will feature a Preakness Brunch Buffet Package. Tickets are $35 and include a reserved seat for the day, one live program, one Pimlico Program, a selection sheet and brunch including coffee, tea, tax and gratuity. Call 216-662-8600, ext. 1275 for reservations.
Need some hot tips for betting luck? Join Thistledown TV Analyst Rich Ruda in the Starting Gate Museum (4th level) for a Preakness Handicapping Seminar. Special guests, Bob Roberts, Thistledown’s Director of Publicity and Matt Hook, Thistledown’s Announcer, will join Ruda for an informative look at the Preakness card. The seminar begins at 12 Noon.
MOM'S A WINNER ON MOTHER'S DAY --- Jockey Jane Magrell celebrated Mother's Day in the best place a racetrack can offer -- the winner's circle. Magrell, who had never before won a race on the day that honors moms everywhere, rallied Dollys Princess to a 2 3/4-length victory in Sunday's first race at Thistledown. Magrell and husband Chuck have a 14-year-old daughter, Chelsea.
"They are at home waiting for me," said Magrell, who is currently tied for third in the Thistledown jocks' derby with six victories. "It's the perfect day for me, family and horses."
Magrell was joined in the winner's circle by her father and mother,John and Dorothy Magrell.
"My mom is my No. 1 fan," said Magrell. "My husband and daughter are home. They raced too, this weekend, both winning races at Deerfield Raceway on Saturday night. My daughter races kid carts."
Before Magrell left her home in Atwater Sunday morning for the track, she opened a Mother's Day card from her daughter. "It had a very nice message in it," she said.
BACK IN TOWN --- Luis Gonzalez, whose 104 winners last year ranked him second in Thistledown jockeys' derby, just two winners behind champion Scott Spieth, returns to the North Randall for Thursday's program. Gonzalez is named to ride in three races. He's also listed aboard four horses on Friday's card. Gonzalez has been on a short vacation since finishing a successful winter stand at Tampa Bay Downs. The meet ended last Sunday and Gonzalez finished fifth in the standings with 57 winners.
LEADERBOARD -- With 10 of the 46 days of the Summit-Thistledown Meeting in the book, there are tight races in both the jockeys and trainers' divisions. Weldon Cloninger Jr. is the top jock with 10 winners, but Anne Sanguinetti is just one back. Jeffrey Skerrett is next in line at eight winners followed by Scott Spieith at seven winners . . . Burton Sipp leads all trainers with 10 winners. Jeff Radosevich,the defending champion, is second with nine, followed by Rodney Faulkner at seven winners.
TRIPLE PLAY --- Rodney Faulkner, the second winningest trainer at Thistledown last year with 61 victories, scored the first three-bagger of the season by a conditioner last Thursday (May 8th). Faulkner won the fourth race with Sam Klein's Shaman Gold, the sixth race with his own Cheyenne Spring, and the 14th race with his own Sweet Breeze. Faulkner also had a second and a third.
FEED BAG --- Dillon Hall and Jeffrey Taylor's Alberta Dipper became the first two-time winner of the 2008 Thistledown season when she was an easy 4 1/4-length winner on Thursday (May 8). The 4-year-old filly also won easily on opening day (May 1), by 4 3/4 lengths . . .Leading jockey Weldon Cloninger Jr. has been suspended seven days by Thistledown's governing stewards after his mount King Cruz was disqualified from first to second on Saturday. Cloninger has appealed the ruling . . . Trainer Joe Faulkner ended a frustrating run --- eight runner-up finishes from his first 19 starters -- when his Glitter Canyon captured Monday's (May 12th) fourth race. Faulkner then collected his ninth runner-up finish when Roan River Dance finished second in the sixth race . . .Good things come to those who wait. Memory's Turn, who won for the first time in his career in Friday's (May 9th) first race, is a seven-year-old. He had run just twice at five and now three times at seven . . .Thistledown will be open for evening simulcasting this week Tuesday through Thursday nights, as well as Sunday. Of course, the North Randall oval is open each and every afternoon for simulcasting from North America's top tracks . . . Horsemen are reminded that nominations close Wednesday (May 14) for the $50,000 Dr. T.F. Classen Memorial. It goes to the post on May 24.
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 (5/01) We are back in business here at Thistledown. The season started similar to the way last year went. Trainer Burton Sipp and jockey Anne Sanguinetti teamed up last season with regular success. They started this year with Madly Paddlin Home. Expect more of this every day all year long. It’s great to be back to work. This meet should be one of the best in recent years.
Friday (5/02) Trainer Miguel Feliciano and Pyrite Stables are no stranger to stakes glory at Thistledown. The first stake of the year was the Angenora. Pay the Man, fresh off her 2007 Grand Hooky, was once again amazing. She laughed in the face of her buckeye-bred competition. She has been the most consistent filly here the last two years. However, a new challenger did emerge. Runner up Formal Arrangement was within shouting distance of the big girl. Unfortunately for the Thistledown backside, her connections are the exact same as the winner. Miguel has the market cornered once again.
Saturday (5/03) Braggs to Riches had an eye catching debut. The filly did receive plenty of support at the mutuel window for her first career start. However, she was off awkwardly at the start. She managed to get back into the race and hit the board. I see the connections have nominated her to an upcoming stakes race. I don’t know if she can win that race against seasoned race mares, but I do know she will not be a maiden much longer.
Sunday (5/04) We have plenty of horsemen from the Wolverine state in the barn area this year. With the closing of Great Lakes Downs, and a new track opening months away, they have decided to ply their trade here this year. One of those to watch is trainer James Jackson. Starlits Mission went off at a big number and showed tons of determination winning a tough claimer. This is a barn that has some very nice horses. I would keep my eyes on them all year.
Monday (5/05) Cruise Liner looks like a major player this year. It wasn’t about the race she won, but more about the way she did it. She was on “cruise” control. Jockey Weldon Cloninger Jr. was just along for the ride as this filly sped away from her overmatched rivals. With a visually impressive performance she could be on the verge of developing into a nice racehorse for trainer Tim Hamm. Add her to your horses to watch list.
Thursday (5/08) The above mentioned James Jackson sent out first timer Rapidness. She was one of the favorites but was off extremely late from the gate. She did rally to finish fourth in a competitive group of maidens. With the race under her belt the experienced gained with the outing could transfer to a victory in the near future. If she comes back at the same or better price I’d be rapidly betting on Rapidness.
Friday (5/09) One of my favorites Loaded Soda let me down today. This guy was ultra consistent last year and this irregular clunker perhaps can be explained. That’s right! Third place is a clunker. His first outing was a nice one, but he was eligible to bounce as this was just his second start of the year. He was also wheeled back from opening day and maybe he would have enjoyed more rest. Trainer Jevon Crumley has been lights out lately and I’m confident he will have the answers.
Saturday (5/10) Jockey Amanda Bower is in search of career victory number one. The champagne was on ice. The family was in attendance. The announcer was prepared. However, Izzie’s Rose just missed. Win number one shouldn’t be too far off for Amanda. Hopefully it will be here at Thistledown. Meanwhile the champagne is back in the fridge. I’m sure she can’t wait to break out the bubbly.
Sunday (5/11) Trainer Jevon Crumley answered all the questions the public had concerning the debut of Princess Christine. Well back early she rallied strongly to win her debut. This comment isn’t so much about the filly as it is about the trainer. When Jevon sends out a first timer, they must always be considered. He always has them ready and always enters them where they belong.
Monday (5/12) One of my favorite movies of all time is Anchorman. I laugh from start to finish at Will Ferrell and his ridiculous antics. I’ve probably seen the movie over a dozen times as it is front and center in my DVD collection. As for the horse, I smiled from ear to ear when I saw his name on the overnight. Oh what fun I can have with this horse. It doesn’t hurt that he also has ability and did win for fun on this day. Thank you to trainer Burton Sipp for the birthday present.