Eightthehardway, True Cinder deserving stakes favorites

Eightthehardway, an easy winner two starts ago, and True Cinder, who delivered a breakthrough performance to clear her maiden condition after finishing second or third in three stakes, will be overwhelming favorites in a pair of $75,000 stakes restricted to Ohio-accredited horses Saturday at Mahoning Valley Race Course. To be eligible, a horse must be foaled in Ohio and sired by a stallion who stands in the Buckeye State.

The 4-year-old Eightthehardway is the even-money choice in the program for the 1 1/8-mile Ruff/Kirchberg Memorial Handicap. He concedes five to 15 pounds to his seven opponents.

True Cinder is an even heavier favorite, listed at 3-5, against seven 2-year-old fillies in the six-furlong Glacial Princess.

Eightthehardway has chased Mo Dont No, the likely Ohio-bred Horse of the Year, in two of his last three starts, including a second in the 1 1/4-mile Governor’s Buckeye Cup at Thistledown in early September. Two starts ago, Eightthehardway romped by 6 1/4 lengths in the 1 1/16-mile Catlaunch at Thistledown.

His most intriguing challenger is Leona’s Reward, a 3-year-old filly who will challenge males after dominating the 1 1/16-mile Ohio Debutante at Mahoning Valley over a muddy track Nov. 19. Her 70 Beyer Speed Figure three starts ago for finishing second in a one-mile allowance matches the number Eightthehardway earned in his Catlaunch victory.

Plain Ol’ Willard defeated Eightthehardway by a length in winning the 1 1/8-mile George Lewis Memorial at Thistledown in mid-June but hasn’t been competitive in five subsequent starts.

Geppetto is 1 for 25 over the past two seasons, but that victory came in this race last year. He’s 0 for 13 this season.

The 3-year-old gelding Wanda’s Bentley is 3 for 4 but has never raced beyond six furlongs. He’s coming back a week after winning a $7,500 claimer and changing hands, moving from top trainer Jeff Radosevich to Rodney Moyers, who is 0 for 32 at the meet.

True Cinder looks far faster than her opponents in the Glacial Princess, based on her 12-length score worth a 64 Beyer at Mahoning Valley on Nov. 14. The surprise package could be Mygirlfriday, who improved while racing on Lasix for the first time in her most recent start. She finished third, 7 3/4 lengths behind runner-up True Cinder, in the six-furlong Emerald Necklace at Thistledown on Oct. 1.