Eightthehardway wins Lewis Memorial; Proper Discretion takes Petro Memorial

The veteran campaigner Eightthehardway finished third in the 2016 George Lewis Memorial Stakes and was second by a nose in last year's renewal. He finally got it done in 2018, pulling clear to a 4 1/2-length victory in the $75,000 Lewis Memorial, for Ohio-accredited runners, one of two stakes showcasing the Buckeye State's breeding program on Saturday's Ohio Derby undercard at Thistledown.

Eightthehardway ($8) was allowed to settle early under Terry Houghton and made a strong run leaving the backstretch to move into second, nearly on even terms with pacesetter Mobil Solution, through an honest six furlongs in 1:12.48. He poked a head in front into the stretch and drew clear for the victory, stopping the clock in 1:53.84 for 1 1/8 miles on the fast track.

After Mobil Solution, it was another 2 3/4 lengths back to the filly Leona's Reward, who nipped former stablemate Eightthehardway by a nose in last year's Lewis Memorial. She was sent off favored Saturday following three consecutive stakes victories but raced evenly throughout to check in third.

This was the 11th stakes win or placing for Eightthehardway, a son of Parents' Reward owned by Paul Groves. The gelding, who won the 2016 Catlaunch Stakes and last November's Ruff/Kirchberg Memorial Handicap, came into the George Lewis off three straight losses, although he did finish third in last month's Michael F. Rowland Memorial Handicap in his first start for trainer Glenroy Brown.

Later on the card, Proper Discretion held off School Board Prez for a victory in the $75,000 J. William Petro Memorial Handicap for Ohio-registered fillies and mares.

Proper Discretion assumed command on the first turn of the 1 1/16-mile race and held a comfortable 2 1/2-length lead on the far turn through her opening six furlongs in 1:12.44 under Ricardo Feliciano. School Board Prez, who was last of five early, made a sweeping run around the far turn but the eventual winner repelled her, hitting the wire 2 1/2 lengths in front. The final time was 1:46.44.

After the top two, it was 17 1/4 lengths back to Cali Dream in third.

Proper Discretion ($7.20), a daughter of Discreetly Mine, is trained by Anthony Rini for Ron Paolucci's Loooch Racing Stables. Now a four-time stakes winner, the mare, who started in last November's Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, came into the Petro Memorial off a four-length allowance victory earlier this month at Thistledown.