Contact Information:
Bob Roberts (216-662-8600)
May 29, 2008
www.thistledown.com
Buckeye Champion Catlaunch Returns To Defend Rowland Title
Ohio 2007 handicap division champion Catlaunch, unbeaten in two starts this year, looks to add to his laurels in Friday's $50,000 added Michael F. Rowland Memorial at Thistledown.
Catlaunch won last year's Rowland, the race the honors the memory of the Thistledown riding champ who lost his life as a result of injuries suffered in a spill at Turfway Park in 2004.
A winner of 22 of 57 career starts and $458,778, Catlaunch races for his breeders Scioto Farm, and is trained by Ivan Vasquez. Regular rider Ivan Gonzalez is named to ride in the six furlong Rowland that is restricted to Ohio accredited foals.
Catlaunch won last year's Rowland by 3 1/4 lengths over six rivals. He'll have to face only five Buckeye-breds this week. Among his foes is Go Johnny Go, runner-up in last year's Rowland.
It’s Ohio Derby Day This Saturday!
Don’t miss Ohio’s premier racing event, the $300,000 (G2) Ohio Derby this Saturday at Thistledown. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and first post is 1:05 p.m. The Ohio Derby is scheduled as the ninth race on the card at 5:27 p.m.
Ohio Derby festivities include live music by country sensation Lawless from 12:30-4:30 p.m., free kids’ fun including face painting and an inflatable bouncer from Noon – 3 p.m. and outdoor grilling and beverage specials. Plus, visit with local radio personalities. Mark “Munch” Bishop from WKNR will broadcast live on the apron from 12-3 p.m. Visit Chuck Collier at the WGAR Booth and Scan-N-Win for Brooks & Dunn concert tickets (1-4 p.m.) and meet WDOK’s Jim McIntyre and play the Mega Money Machine (1-4 p.m.).
Thistledown’s TV Analyst Rich Ruda and Announcer Matt Hook will host an Ohio Derby Preview Show outside on the apron beginning at 12 Noon. The duo will talk to some Ohio Derby connections and handicap the Ohio Derby field.
Every guest (18 and older) can play the $2,000 Ohio Derby Handicapping Contest until 3:30 p.m. Pick the order of finish of the entire Ohio Derby field for a chance to win cash. In addition, every entry will have a second chance to win in a random drawing of gift card prizes!
GREAT RACE --- Thistledown's current jockeys' derby is being hotly-contested, but the North Randall oval's trio of governing stewards are demanding that the riders maintain a straight course to the finish line.
Jeffrey Skerrett, who leads all riders with 16 winners, picked up a seven-day suspension that begins Tuesday May 27 and runs through June 2. His forced vacation comes on the heels of both Weldon Cloninger, second in the standings with 14 winners, and Anne Sanguinetti, third in the race with 13 winners, getting identical suspensions.
"Our stewards are doing a great job," said Bill Couch, Thistledown's director of racing. "They are consistent in sending out a clear signal that we want clean and safe racing, not only for the well-being of the riders, but for our betting public."
Thistledown's trio of stewards are Butch Gore (representing the Ohio State Racing Commission) and Patrick Mackey and Richard Kinsey, both associate stewards.
CLASSEN RECAP --- Horse races rarely result in fairytale finishes, but last Saturday's (May 24th) third running of the $50,000 Dr. T.F. Classen Memorial Stakes at Thistledown is a profile in not only courage but perhaps fate. Money Card, owned and trained by Shirley Girten-Drake, shot up the rail at the top of the stretch to make the lead, then held safe Goodys Summer to prevail by a neck in the six furlong dash restricted to Ohio-bred fillies and mares.
Girten-Drake is an ovarian cancer survivor and presenting her the Classen trophy was Dr. Roger Classen, son of the late physician and founder of Brentwood Hospital (now Meridia South Pointe) for whom the Classen Memorial is named.
"(Shirley) is very lucky, the procedure was very involved," said Dr. Classen, who performed Girten-Drake's surgery.
Classen's father bred and raced Brent's Prince, winner of the 1975 Ohio Derby, the last Buckeye-bred to win the state's most prestigious race.
"This is the race I've been wanting to win since I recovered from my cancer," said Girten. "We tried last year and finished third. This is very special to me. It's the race I wanted. I guess it proves that dreams do come true."
Jane Magrell was aboard Money Card who ran six furlongs in 1:12 3/5, earned Girten $37,200, and paid $3.80 to win for a $2 win ticket.
"She broke good, but really doesn't like the inside, but I sat and waited. When she made the lead she was running good, but she is afraid of the flowers (in the infield). She'll prick her ears and try to stop running. That's why she likes racing on the outside."
Magrell said that Goodys Summer was not about to get past Money Card in deep stretch. "My mare likes to make everybody nervous," she said. "She makes the lead and hangs, and likes to play, but then gets serious and gets the job done."
FEED BAG -- Delightful Kiss, winner of last year's Ohio Derby, made his 2008 debut at Calder Race Course on Saturday (May 24) and finished second in the $36,000 Blazing Sword Stakes. The race was run on the main, sloppy track, at a mile. It had been scheduled for 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf . . . Thistledown will be open for late-night simulcasting three consecutive days this week -- Tuesday through Thursday, as well as next Sunday, June 1. Of course, the North Randall oval is open each and every afternoon for daytime full-card simulcasting . . .Cat Singer, who raced just once last year and hadn't won since capturing the 2006 Best of Ohio Endurance at Thistledown, began yet another comeback Monday at River Downs. It was a successful one as he skipped to an easy score over the Cincinnati track's turf course. The eight-year-old gelding, a winner of 12 of 27 lifetime starts was timed 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf in 1:30 1/5. Cat Singer was Ohio's champion sophomore colt in 2003.