Friday @ThistledownOhio

R3 

#3 SHESACLASSYGURL (Radasovich) is tempting off the cut back

R4 

#8 MUNSTER AUFGEWACHT  has been looking for this spot; she dominated here in October

R6 

#6 MAGNIFICENT gets plenty of pace to run at

R7 

Should be excellent race - wide open; Classy #1 FIRE CHIEF has my early eye - he has to break well from the rail and will be pressed; #4 BUZZ TOWN is another "hose for course;” what do you do with the Turfway shipper, #6 CASTLEPOST?

R8 

#3 WESTERN PIRATE may be prepped for this

Tuesday @BeulahPark

Race 1
It would be cool to find a price here but the 09Mar effort at today's distance makes MORE DISCREET look like the "speed of the speed."

• Scratch

Race 3
One day in it is apparent that Outz/Rone is a good a good combo to bank on. That said I've got my eye on ROMANTIC CHANNEL. He has done little wrong since discovering the Buckeye state. His experience over this track calls to me.

• Second by 5 lengths
• Pressed for a half was swallowed up by the winner passed a tired horse for place

Race 5
BEAMISH looks well prepped for today's class drop against a couple chalky shippers.

• Fourth of four by many
• Showed nothing

Monday at Beulah Park

Race 3
I've never had much luck picking winners in Columbus so I'll rely on hunches as I post my first ever online Beulah Park selection. Don Rowe is a familiar face at Thistledown who usually places his horses carefully. Searching for twitter connections to Ohio racing this morning I discovered jockey Edgar Paucar. Rowe sends JIMMY SCOTT to post here with his regular rider, Edgar up. Already a winner at this level the horse fits but cuts back in distance trying to repeat. Hopefully HIGH MAC and YOUR IN FOR HALF will hook up to make the pace right for "JIMMY."

• Third by a length.
• Closed willingly after being way off the loose leader YOUR IN FOR HALF after HIGH MAC missed the break. 
• Hindsight being 100% it was silly to overlook the winner CLIFF'S BEST BET who is 4-1-2-0 since arriving from Turfway.

Race 6
It looks like MORMON METEOR has found a surface and competition level that he enjoys at Beulah. Facing winners off that maiden score could be a task but he'll probably be back in slop sporting the most consistent figs in the field.

• Third by 4 or 5 lengths
• Broke alertly but green bearing out entered the turn widest of all to finish evenly under kind handling
• Probably worth keeping an eye on

This morning at Thistledown

A quick trip to my favorite local racing venue revealed that there are horses on the grounds and that despite all the racino frenzy the backsiders are also hard at work. There was a bevy of training activity on this very crisp morning.

Taking a glance at the first 2013 condition book, it appears the the claimers will be competing for purses that have been bumped up a couple grand. That's a start. I'm sure that the horsemen are hoping that the slot money will eventually provide enough value to put real food on their tables.

I doubt that they'll be ready for opening day but it looks like there will be some cool upgrades for us railbirds.

Don't let that sunshine fool you. It was FREEZING. I was the only idiot on the apron today.

I did not see any evidence that infield eyesore that blocks our view of the backstretch will be dynamited in the near future.

Yippee!

The barn area opens a month from today.

It appears that Thistledown will be alive and kicking for at least another season. I'm anxious to see the first condition book and discover if the anticipated, slot inflated, purse hikes will be instituted at the beginning of the meet. I'd expect that the horsemen are a lot more anxious than me.

It's been a long time since opening day has had the holiday feeling that it did "back in the day." I'm sure that the April 19th opener won't be a day that many non-regulars circle on their calendar for the live racing. The re-birth may take awhile. However, it should be a season full of intrigue as gamers sniff out the new machines and the potential purse hikes raise the quality of racing.

As rumors surround the place, I'm still betting on "The Big-T" to outlive me. Good luck Thistledown. You are the best sports franchise in Cleveland.

My last shot (2012)

Race 1
Who would be shocked if Jeff Radosevich had A HOTTY AT NOON ready to explode in his Thistledown debut? The linesmaker seems to think that will be the case. Jeff's young stock has been running lights out.
Favored, she was LAST of the bunch by 12

Race 5
Jeff Skerrett gets back on BIBLICAL NOTES, a personal favorite who has disappointed lately. I hope that we end the season friends.
Nabu Morales also saddle one here, showing his tale to the selection and the field - THIRD BY 8

Race 7
Nabu Morales shows up with RIKIM.
Skipped away from these, then was taken down - FIRST BY 1,  DQ'D TO SIXTH

Usually large fields as they try to get last runs in these creatures = plenty of exotic possibilities. It should be some fun in the sun. Off to race to make the first . . . live!
I struck out in this arena also. It was an interesting racing season. The entire plant is under construction to install the mysterious slots. What will 2013 bring?

#Thistledown Friday

Race 6 (3:10)
Look for a stretch battle between SKIPPY DUE and ROBYNS AFAIR after MYASTORM/JODY POWER set some quick fractions. Expect SKIPPY DUE to finish in the winners circle.
WINNER - the front runners did their part, the selection began to roll at the top of the turn to win with ease, ROBYN'S AFAIR, thankfully, did not fire ($5.40)

Race 7 (3:39)
Some of my favorite horses have been run off their legs by BLAZING PRIZE this season. Probably the only way to stop him is for me to bet him.
SECOND - pressed, but could not pass CANADIAN HOME RUN

Race 8 (4:08)
SARDEGNA'S LADY is another hot, young addition to Jeff Radosevich"s string. They are tough to beat.
SECOND - cleared the field early, led to mid stretch, surrendered to the quickly closing winner without much fight

#Thistledown Thursday

Race 6 (3:10)
CLEVER PERFORMANCE looks a notch above the rest of this field.
SECOND by a head - confidently pressed outside the hip of speedy FIRE CHIEF, expecting to run by  that one when set down, he could not.

Race 7 (3:39)
VICTORY DANCE might have it her way today. It looks like there could be less early pressure than in her last trip.
LOST RIDER - stumbled leaving the gate, Ramon Ramos hopefully avoided injury as he fell away from horses

#Thistledown Wednesday

Race 2 (1:14)
WEEKEND GETAWAY may get brave enough to win at this distance once he inherits the lead today.

Triple deadheat for the show dough! - taken to the back after failing to make the lead, he made a mild re-rally actually
no factor here, losing be around ten lengths

Race 3 (1:43)

HEAVY STEVE stays the trip today or never.
WINNER by three lengths - drew away early and kepted on running ($3.60)

Race 5 (2:41)

NATIVE BRITCHES is the most consistent, classiest here. The trip (will there be enough pace?) is a bigger concern than the competition.
SECOND by six lengths - rallied to be much the best of the rest behind the odds on favorite

Seven in a row

Never able to see far out of the box, it is getting even tougher for me to look beyond the obvious as the 2012 season draws down.

Race 2
CASPERZAPPER was $120,000 purchase in 2010. His career certainly hasn't followed the expected route, but I'll have my eyes on him. This surface has given life to many troubled souls.
WIRE TO WIRE WINNER - 1:10.73 restrained early, running easily on his own late while widening from the others many lengths back ($2.80)

Race 4
WHY US faces a group of solid local runners in this one. Time away and the shorter distance are "bet against" considerations. However, this lady has rundown almost everyone that has tried to put her away at Thistledown. A win today would make it seven in row.
WINNER - reserved behind two early runners, she began her charge at the top of the lane to just get up ($5.60)

Race 5
JERSEY NUGGET nipped a next time winner while breaking her maiden in her first trip for Sandra Adkins. The Adkins barn has been repeating with its maiden winners at a 36% clip.
Second - went 22.1 early to earn the rail from the seven hole before the bend, shook loose, but began to weave in midstretch, nosed out at the wire by the heavy favorite

Nabu Morales today

Race 2
All systems appear to say go for BROAD SONE. This week's bias favors his running style, the barn is white hot, and Walter De La Cruz takes the assignment.
BROKE DOWN as he pulled away at the top of the stretch

Race 8
THEGAMES A BUSTOUT is another Morales runner that just seems to classier than the field he faces after summering in Erie.
WINNER  by at least a football field - kicked away early making many a tiny bit happy ($2.60)

Santa Anita Race 9
It think that is was wise to give LOVE AND PRIDE some time to acclimate to the championship surroundings. I give her a chance in the Breeder's Cup Ladies' Classic this evening.
Looked ROYAL DELTA in the eyes at + or - 1:09, the said goodbye - announcer, "Nobody beats ROYAL DELTA"

BUZZ TOWN

I'm looking forward to today's 12:45 post time. Race three, stocked with need the lead types is a real head scratcher. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Race 6
The Radosevich barn has its young horses really sharp. DIGGIN UP A RUCKUS can be expected to show his tail to the competition early today from the rail post position.
LAST by at least 20 lengths - run hard along the rail briefly then folded the tent; yikes - last week's losing hunch bet, JODY'S POWER, over powered this group today

Race 7
BUZZ TOWN with Walter De La Cruz back a board is not a sexy choice, but he seems to be the classiest of this bunch by a long shot.
SECOND by a half - the even start kept him wide into the turn behind a loose leader that he could not run down, he may need that extra half furlong

Race 8
RACINDA threw in a clunker last time. A rebound today would not be a be a surprise given her consistent efforts the this summer.
WINNER by a length - launched a four wide bid from midpack on the turn then held on late ($10.40)

MUMKIN?

Listed as part of an entry, MUMKIN may or may not run in today's fifth race. If he does go, it will be the debut race for the NINE YEAR OLD HORSE. A win would be the makings for a movie.

Race 5
MONETARY REWARD faces no competition today. I hope she isn't adverse to some gooey going.
WINNER by a length - stalked the pace boldly then took the lead with some strong urging ($2.60)

Race 7
Expecting two in a row from HOLD ME MOLLY is asking a lot, but why not like the chances of the horse least likely to be eating mud today?
Sixth by four lengths - couldn't make the lead leaving the gate, ran evenly

Race 8
Going the OPPOSITE way here. This one is the most likely to eat mud for most of the mile trip. The field is filled with runners that seem to need/want the lead. Perhaps OPPOSITE can score late.
Last by an amazing 37 lengths - jogged for a half; quit

I hate mud

I have an urge to hide while Hurricane Sandy plays havoc with the racing surface. My embarrassing "mudder" selections Saturday left me less than anxious to visit the windows today. However, I lack the discipline necessary to save my wallet.

Race 2
STAR ISABELLA seems to like dirt a lot more than Tapeta, rating to victory in Cleveland after disappointing in Erie for her new barn. This is not a soft spot. If she is ready, the price could be right.
WINNER by a head - chasing in the second flight through the turn, was taken to the middle of the track to close willingly while drifting to be the widest winner I've ever seen ($7.00).

Race 5
POWERSTOWN gets my nod here despite the stretch out and some classy competition from the Radosevich barn. He is ultra consistant. Perhaps he can carry his speed another quarter mile.
EASED - pressed the pace gamely into the second turn where he began to back up dramatically and was eventually eased.

Race 6
PYRITE MILL seems likely to break his maiden today. He is cutting back from a powerful move on "Best of Ohio" day.
SECOND by a half - worked hard from his far outside post through the bend to overtake the leader who was along the rail; was briefly in control until caught at the wire.

R DIRTEATER

Today's "her mother's mother was a mudder" specials are:

Race 1 ULTIMATE BLISS
SIXTH by nine

Race 3 SNACK DADDY (Pick 3 races 3-5 = 5/5/1245
FOURTH (of 5) by 16

Race 4 DIAMOND LAD
WINNER ($2.60)

Race 5 R DIRTEATER
THIRD by one

Race 7 ACTIVE TRADER
OFF THE BOARD

WOW! That was sad.

EPIDAVOS

I will be very interested to see the odds on Jeff Radosevich's first time starter, BRING HOME T BACON, in today's first race. I think that I will watch and, hopefully learn from, that race.
He paid his backers ($5.60). He looked like a handful for the jock, was sorta awkward in the stretch, but still won with ease. 

Pressed for time, this will be a one play day.

Race 2
EPIDAVOS and "Lady Jane" return to the claiming ranks for Richard Genovese. Hopefully, he will be the "speed of the speed" facing three other three-year-olds. A win by old man and long shot, DUST DEVIL, would leave me with some serious egg on my face.
SECOND by maybe a dozen - dueling early, he kicked free on the turn until BUCK THE SYSTEM chewed him up and spit him out.

GENERALISSIMO

Race 2
JUST SMOK'N has had some rest and a sharpener since his last outing. Jeff Radosevich seems to stretch horses out as well as anybody. What to do with his mystery purchase, YAROSLAV?
SECOND by three - lived up to his name for three quarters, but had no response when passed in the lane; the "mystery" horse was a stalking third

Race 4
MYASTORM gets the rail today at his preferred distance.
WINNER by many - away alertly, he led by open lengths throughout ($3.60)

Race 6
GENERALISSIMO showed as much courage as I've seen on the front end here in his last trip to Cleveland. He could find a similar trip today in "the race of the day."
SECOND by a widening five - this one ran his heart out until Benny Feliciano's classy shipper,FIFTH STREET, picked up the pieces in the stretch.

FAKE PERSONALITY

Race 5
FAKE PERSONALITY has been facing stiffer competition out of state.
THIRD - allowed to stalk early, he made a bold move on the final turn, but lacked a final kick finishing tired, three behind

Race 6
BIG SISTER gets Walter De La Cruz back and should enjoy clear sailing along the rail.
WINNER - controlled the pace throught, but had to fight off a bold challenge to win by a neck ($3.20)

Race 7
Third of the claim, BLINGS RISING STAR may be in position to nocth a victory for Sandra Adkins' stable.
WINNER - pressed a hot pace (21.82/45.08), then got up in the final strides to win a length in a sizzling 1:11.68 ($3.40)

DUTY CALLS

Race 3

Robert Gorham's MPM shipper ruined me Friday. Maybe I'm too late, but I'll try that angle here with DUTY CALLS.
THIRD, fading at the wire - was perky into the deep stretch, than gave it up behind old friend YOUNG APOLLO (Richard Rettelle).

Race 4

SURVIVING NEW YORK has done most of her racing at this quirky distance. Bennett's pair must prove that they can do it in the dirt. I hope that they take some money . . .
FIFTH, twenty back - inexplicably bet down to even money, he was hung six wide on the first turn, continued to hustle for a half mile, then quit.

Race 7

BURLEY'S GOLD has probably been facing better the last few trips. Toss in a sharp workout that adds to the allure. Anthony Rini slips JODY'S POWER back into action; a tasty price would tempt me to back the sneaky good trainer.
SECOND by a half length - running early with the winner, BEAU MAC and JODY'S POWER, he took the lead in the stretch as JODY'S POWER faded, be could not hold off the other.

SNARGLE?

Race 2 
SARDENGA'S LADY skips to the lead and romps on paper.
WINNER by a slim head - had to work harder than expected to wire this bunch ($3.20)

Race 3

ON THE WING has a huge class/speed advantage - so tell me why Adkins drops him in for a tag?  SNARGLE has two wins; both gate to wire on the slop. Today he'll be firing from the rail. You tell me what to do.
THIRD by three lengths - ran hard with the leaders, three wide, then gave in late.

Race 6

POLITE COMPANY looks like she has a pace advantage here. Of course, I read a couple of those senerios way wrong yesterday. I'll have my fingers crossed.
THIRD by nine lengths - had no problem laying off the pace and no luck catching it.