The unpredictability of horse racing is what gives us hope and breaks our hearts – often at the same time! Never was that more on display than in the two Ohio Accredited Stakes run at Mahoning Valley on Saturday, December 18th.
In the first stake, the Black Type Joshua Radosevich Memorial Stake, Thedayofthegrey, a 2 year old son of Ohio standout sire Twinspired out of the Proud Citizen mare Sharon’s Way cruised to the easiest of victories destroying his field in a hand ride winning by 6 lengths on the wire. Trained by Bobby Cline, bred by Richard Wilkinson, owned by the duo, and ridden by Sonny Leon, he went right to the front and never looked back. Relish the Ride rallied for the place and Out for Fun checked in third. The winner went of at odds of 1-2 paying $3.00 and stopping the timer in 1:13:54.
In the next stake, the Bobbie Bricker Memorial Handicap for Ohio Accredited fillies and mares, the tote board told a much different story. Completely dismissed at odds of 87-1 Niceasakittenseyes ridden by Fernando Salazar Beccera for trainer Craig Sweeting uncorked a furious rally and swept by her rivals to score by 1 1/4 lengths. Mobil Lady was second and Edge of Night finished third.
The winner was bred in Ohio by Eyes of a Child Stable. She is owned by Melissa Edgington and is by the nice Ohio Stallion William’s Kitten out of the Parent’s Reward mare Shestwiceasnice.
An interesting note is that both winning sires were offered in the recently conducted OTBO Stallion Season Auction. Eyes of a Child Stable and Poplar Creek Horse Center have been long time supporters of the OTBO and its annual auction. It is wonderful to see such beautiful and powerful offspring run to their full potential and reward their teams – and their backers as well especially with that $176 win payout!
With 19 incredible Ohio Accredited horses on display today it further emphasizes the tremendous opportunity available in Ohio Thoroughbred racing. I always say there is no better bang for the buck than Ohio racing. Today, it was more like “Bang for the Buck-eye” as these two worthy runners proved there is more than one way to the winner’s circle!
Congratulations to all the connections and to Mahoning Valley for putting on another fun race card.
Happy Holidays everyone!
Mike Annechino
Executive Director, OTBO
