Ohio Derby Kicks Off Mid-Tier Derby Season (June 25)

The roses from the first Saturday in May have wilted. However, many familiar names will get back on the derby trail this summer. These mid-tier derbies run at smaller tracks kick off Saturday with the Ohio Derby from Thistledown.

Full Card Analysis

Thistledown (Ohio Derby Day) Race 1

Post: 12:00 PM ET; Purse: $20,800 Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 9

• #1 HOSANNA (3-1) looks tough to beat here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & class.
• #1A BUSYBEING FABULOUS (3-1) is worth a look here given edges in class & record at the distance.
• #4 PROPHETESS (4-1) should be competitive based on the overall power rating which has it tops in the group.
• #3 WWINSPIRED (5-2) is worth a look here given edges in class & form.

Selections: 1-1A-4-3

Thistledown (Ohio Derby Day) Race 2

Post: 12:28 PM ET; Purse: $38,400 Allowance, 5 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7

• #6 COUNTRY TAKE OUT (4-1) looks tough to beat here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & class.
• #3 CORNER OFFICE (5-2) makes a ton of sense based on speed figures.
• #2 DOUGS MORNING PICK (12-1) is a nice price and has a power rating to fit with this group.
• #4 CATMAN JACK (9-2) is in with a great chance based on the horse's class & form.

Selections: 6-3-2-4

Thistledown (Ohio Derby Day) Race 3

Post: 12:56 PM ET; Purse: $38,400 Allowance, 5 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

• #4 TRAITOR AMONGST US (5-1) is worth a look here given edges in class & form.
• #1 WOLFINE (7-2) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including stamina & record at the distance.
• #5 MASTEROFTHEHOUNDS (4-1) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.
• #3 WILDCAT BILL (9-2) is worth a look here given edges in race flow & pace.

Selections: 4-1-5-3

Thistledown (Ohio Derby Day) Race 4

Post: 1:24 PM ET; Purse: $13,500 Claiming, 5 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 11

• #1 ICONIC (7-2) looks formidable here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & class.
• #10 UNYIELDING (8-1) could get a solid race flow in today’s contest.
• #4 FOX ON THE RUN (4-1) has a power rating that suggests this one is in the right spot.
• #8 MR LIGHTNING BOY (5-1) has to be respected based on the connections.

Selections: 1-10-4-8

Thistledown (Ohio Derby Day) Race 5

Post: 1:52 PM ET; Purse: $26,400 Maiden Special Weight, 5 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 10

• #9 SABELLE (7-2) is in with a great chance based on the horse's race flow & form.
• #4 MY DANCING QUEEN (8-1) should be competitive based on the overall pedigree which has it tops in the group.
• #2 RUNONFAITH (3-1) will debut here and could be a live runner.
• #8 ALITA (9-2) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & connections.

Selections: 9-4-2-8

Thistledown (Ohio Derby Day) Race 6

Post: 2:20 PM ET; Purse: $29,700 Allowance, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 10

• #5 BEER CHASER (4-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's class & form.
• #2 DOUGIE D ORO (3-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating.
• #7 SO DIALED IN (5-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.
• #8 BAD LITTLE BEAST (15-1) has a solid record at the distance and is worth a look here.

Selections: 5-2-7-8

Thistledown (Ohio Derby Day) Race 7

Post: 2:48 PM ET; Purse: $23,300 Starter Allowance, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 9

• #6 WOODLAND WALK (4-1) has a great shot in the race given the speed & class.
• #1 AHIMELECH (5-2) has to be respected based on the connections.
• #8 CONCRETE GLORY (9-2) figures based on the speed figures run in recent starts.
• #5 KADRI (7-2) classes up well against this group.

Selections: 6-1-8-5

Thistledown (Ohio Derby Day) Race 8

Post: 3:18 PM ET; Purse: $75,000 Daniel Stearns Cleveland Gold Cup S., 1 1/8 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 8

• #7 COUNTRY CLUB BOBBY (3-1) looks tough to beat here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & stamina.
• #4 STUNT MAN (6-1) comes into the race signaling a big performance in the near future.
• #2 RUMBLE STRIP RON (7-2) is in with a great chance based on the horse's stamina & power rating.
• #6 TANTRUM (4-1) has speed figures to fit with this group.

Selections: 7-4-2-6

Thistledown (Ohio Derby Day) Race 9

Post: 3:57 PM ET; Purse: $75,000 George Lewis Memorial S., 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 13

• #13 AUTHENTIC COWTOWN (7-2) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & pace.
• #8 BIG TRUCK (10-1) should be competitive based on the overall power rating which has it tops in the group.
• #12 MOBIL SOLUTION (4-1) should really enjoy the distance of this race and could play a major role at the wire..
• #4 FIRST SONG (9-2) is in solid form coming into the race.

Selections: 13-8-12-4

Thistledown (Ohio Derby Day) Race 10

Post: 4:48 PM ET; Purse: $250,000 Lady Jacqueline S., 1 1/8 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 10

• #9 MARACUJA (4-1) is worth a look here given edges in class & pace.
• #6 ARMY WIFE (3-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & power rating.
• #10 MALICED (30-1) is a longshot who could surprise at a price. This one is probably more likely to hit the board than win.
• #5 CRAZY BEAUTIFUL (7-2) was scratched from a stakes earlier this summer. Maybe the thought was that this was a better spot.

Selections: 9-6-10-5

Thistledown (Ohio Derby Day) Race 11

Post: 5:35 PM ET; Purse: $500,000 Ohio Derby, 1 1/8 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 8

• #5 WHITE ABARRIO (7-2) is in with a great chance based on the horse's class & pace.
• #1 BARESE (9-2) is a major player based on speed figures.
• #8 CLASSIC CAUSEWAY (6-1) will look to be an early pace play and try to take them around in merry-go-round like fashion
• #7 TAWNY PORT (3-1) will likely have the stamina to outlast these in the final jumps of the race.

Selections: 5-1-8-7

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