Mother Nature cooperated this Friday and Grizabella, Corner Office, and Danefield used the firm turf and fast track to their advantage taking down the three Ohio Bred Stake Races at Belterra Park on July 23rd. All photos are courtesy of Coady Photography.
Reigning Ohio Champion Accredited Mare Grizabella captured the Vivacious Handicap to start off the 3 stakes program. The 7 year old mare trained by Jeff Radosevich, ridden by Luis Rivera, and owned by Michael Annechino saved ground, was blocked on the rail, moved to the outside and scored a neck victory over a very game and gritty Distinctive Flower. Cali Dream was another 1 1/4 lengths back in 3rd. The race was run in a very sharp 1:41:65.
Grizabella was bred by Mapleton Thoroughbred Farms. She is by Lunar Pal out of the Tiger Ridge mare Chic Cat.
Several races later, Tim Hamm’s Corner Office outdueled stablemate Condemnation by 2 lengths to win the Hoover Stakes in 1:05:26. The Dayofthegrey was third and another Hamm trainee Tantrum rallied to be fourth.
Corner Office is owned and bred by Winblaze, LLC. Jose Bracho piloted the winner. He stalked Condemnation from the start, pounced turning for home, and pulled away down the lane. The winner is by Bal a Bali out of the Kitten’s Joy mare Elated.
Immediately after that race Jose Bracho completed his hat trick for the day by guiding Danefield to a wire to wire score in the Buckeye Native. He broke on top and “widened from there” scoring a convincing 2 1/2 length victory over Authentic Cowtown in a quick 1:41:14. Direct Deceit at 29-1 was up for 3rd with Sammy Da Bull at 53-1 4th.
Danefield was bred and owned by trainer John Bourke, Jeff Barbee, and Jeff Kerins. Jose Bracho nailed back to back stakes and, combined with his 5th win in her last 6 tries on Dancin’ Rosie earlier in the card, gave him a natural hat trick for the day!
What a great overall day for Ohio Racing! Perfect weather, nice attendance, and tremendous and exciting racing by some of the state’s best performers!
Next up…The Horizon Stakes at Belterra on August 13th and the Best of Ohio Day at Thistledown on August 14th which features 5 more Ohio Bred Stakes! Please come out and join us at both venues for more high quality exciting racing.
Congratulations to all the winners!
