False Ohio-bred now Kentuckian

Marble Cliff is starting out all over again. After being stripped of his four career victories by the Ohio State Racing Commission, Marble Cliff will race Friday night in a maiden special weight race at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky.

Marble Cliff, trained by William "Dougie" Cowans, finished first in 4 of 5 starts, all in Ohio-bred company, ending with a 13-length victory in the $100,000 Cleveland Gold Cup on June 28 at Thistledown. An investigation by the Ohio commission, however, showed that the 3-year-old gelding was neither bred nor foaled in the state, resulting in the forfeiture of all placings and purse money - more than $110,000.

Marble Cliff has been a registered Kentucky-bred since September and is eligible for Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund bonuses offered at state tracks.

Returning to action in the 11th and last race Friday at Turfway, Marble Cliff will be ridden as usual by Luis Martinez Jr. The gelding was assigned post 7 in a full field entered in the $22,000, one-mile Polytrack race. Marble Cliff, by Jump Start, shows six workouts over the Turfway track since Nov. 1.