Busha' consistently close

Busha' looks for his first stakes win when he heads a field of six Ohio-accredited 2-year-olds in the $55,000 Ohio Freshman at Beulah Park.

Since winning a maiden race June 2 at River Downs, the Mike Rone-trained Busha' has been no worse than third in his three stakes attempts.

Busha' dueled for the lead and tired in the July 12 Hoover at River Downs, finishing third, beaten 1 1/4 lengths. Rone then shipped Busha' to Thistledown for the Cleveland Kindergarten, where he finished third once again. In his most recent start on Oct. 3, Busha' ran second, beaten a nose, in the Best of Ohio Juvenile. That event was at 1 1/16 miles, a half-furlong longer than the Freshman. Perry Ouzts retains the mount.

All three stakes were for registered Ohio-bred 2-year-olds. The Freshman is more restricted, because to be eligible for accredited races a horse must be foaled in Ohio and its sire must stand in the state.

He's the Best may have an advantage breaking from post 1. He's the Best comes off a maiden win at Hoosier Park on Sept. 27 and has had two nice works since. Yuri Yaranga picks up the mount.