Belterra Showcases the Best of Ohio!
The first of three Best of Ohio Days was held at Belterra Racetrack on June 2nd and, as usual, our Ohio horses and horsepeople did not disappoint! Five exciting races were run and both stars of the future and old champions showed up to demonstrate the tremendous talent across the board in Ohio Racing.
All photos used in this article were graciously provided by Coady Photography! Here is their contact info should you need to reach them:
Best of Ohio Norm Barron Queen City Oaks
Although she was very unruly and almost reared at the start, under the patient handling of Luis Rivera, Soft Talk rallied from last to nail the heavy favorite, Sweet Shild O Mine, in the last quarter of a mile to draw off and win by 8 lengths in a time of 1:48:48 for the 1- and 1/16-mile journey. The first two finishers were trained by Joe Sharp. The winner is owned by Bobby Rankin and Charles Johnson and the runner up by Joe Engelhart. Sparkling Jewel checked in third.
Soft Talk was bred in Ohio by Hal Snowden, Jr and is by Midshipman out of the Ministers Wildcat mare Small Secret.
Here is the winning information:
SOFT TALK
Norm Barron Queen City Oaks
Belterra Park Cincinnati, OH
June 2, 2023
Race #05
Purse $100,000
1-1/16 Miles 1:48.48
Bobby R. Rankin & Charles W. Johnson, Owners
Joe Sharp, Trainer
Luis Rual Rivera, Jockey
Sweet Shild O Mine (2nd)
Sparkling Jewel (3rd)
$16.80 $3.00 $2.80
Best of Ohio Green Carpet Stakes
Trojan Tale proved he loved the lawn as he stalked heavy favorite Fair and Square around the racetrack then pounced at the top of the lane to draw off to a convincing 2 ¾ length score. Returnoninvestment rallied for second but was disqualified for interference in the turn and placed 9th. Paint the town was placed third.
Trojan Tale was bred in Ohio by owner William Butler. He is by Outwork out of the Tale of the Cat mare Kewt Tale.
Here are the results:
TROJAN TALE
Green Carpet Stakes
Belterra Park Cincinnati, OH
June 2, 2023
Race #06
Purse $100,000
1-1/16 Miles-Turf 1:43.10
William J. Butler, Owner
Michael J. Maker, Trainer
Ferrin Peterson, Jockey
Fair and Square (2nd)
Paint The Town (3rd)
$9.60 $4.00 $2.80
Best of Ohio Babst/Palacios Memorial Sprint
2022 Ohio Champion Sprinter Dougie D Oro overcame a slow start to romp by 1 ¾ lengths in the Babst/Palacios Memorial Sprint.
Dougie D Oro was bred in Ohio by Doug Shanyfelt. He is by Mio d’Oro out of the Hold That Tiger mare Do the Tiger.
Here are the full results:
DOUGIE D ORO
Babst/Palacios Memorial Stake
Belterra Park Cincinnati, OH
June 2, 2023
Race #07
Purse $100,000
6 Furlongs 1:10.82
Jerry S. Sparks, Owner
Jerry S. Sparks, Trainer
Ricardo Feliciano, Jockey
Empire’s Fire (2nd)
Hip Hip Hooray (3rd)
$3.20 $2.40 $2.20
Best of Ohio Diana Sprint
Squid sat just off the torrid pace set by Amadevil then cruised to a convincing win in the Diana leaving her rivals 5 ½ lengths behind at the wire. This was a double for her connections!
Squid was bred by her owner, William Butler. She is by Midshipman out of the Catienus mare Miss Kew.
Here are the full results:
SQUID
Diana Stakes – 5th Running
Belterra Park Cincinnati, OH
June 2, 2023
Race #08
Purse $100,000
6 Furlongs 1:10.89
William J. Butler, Owner
Michael J. Maker, Trainer
Ferrin Peterson, Jockey
Tivis (2nd)
Amadevil (3rd)
$8.60 $4.20 $2.60
Best of Ohio Sydney Gendelman
Brilliant Journey proved the fans were correct by closing out the Best of Ohio Day card with an easy wire to wire win.
Brilliant Journey was bred in Ohio by Blazing Meadows Farm and WinStar Farm, LLC. He is by Tourist out of the Leroidesanimaux mare Radiant Sky.
Here are the full results:
BRILLIANT JOURNEY
Sydney Gendelman Stakes
Belterra Park Cincinnati, OH
June 2, 2023
Race #09
Purse $100,000
1-1/16 Miles-Turf 1:42.57
Mark D Kuntz, LLC & Kenneth W. Dalton, Owners
Larry E Smith, Trainer
Albin Jimenz, Jockey
Dark Vader (2nd)
Tantrum (3rd)
$5.40 $3.40 $2.60
Thank you to Belterra for putting on an excellent card. Congratulations to all the winning connections. Races like today show the world why Ohio Thoroughbred Breeding, Owning, and Racing offers tremendous excitement and the opportunity to profit as well.
The next Best of Ohio race day will be held at Thistledown on August 12th. We encourage all racing fans to come out to both Thistledown and Belterra all summer long to enjoy exciting races like we saw today!
