Grizabella up in time in Vivacious
CINCINNATI – A trio of $75,000 stakes for Ohio-breds made for an exciting Friday afternoon at Belterra Park, where a pair of turf routes for older horses and a main-track dash for 2-year-olds anchored a busy nine-race program.
Grizabella was up in the final jumps to catch the race-long leader, Distinctive Flower, for a neck victory in the Vivacious, the first of the three stakes.
Ridden by Luis Rivera Jr., Grizabella completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.56 over firm turf and paid $8.40 as second choice in a field of nine fillies and mares. It was her ninth win in 58 starts and lifted her career bankroll to $501,477.
“She loves this turf,” said Jeff Radosevich, who trains the 7-year-old mare for Michael Annechino. “Today, Luis was just sitting there nice, then let her run on late.”
Cali Dream, a 24-1 shot, was another 1 1/4 lengths behind Distinctive Flower, the 3-1 favorite under Rafael Mojica Jr.
Danefield wires Buckeye Native
Some 90 minutes later, Danefield seized early command before turning back a midstretch bid from Authentic Cowtown in capturing the Buckeye Native, the male counterpart to the Vivacious.
Ridden by Jose Bracho, Danefield edged back away from Authentic Cowtown in the final yards to win by 2 1/2 lengths, finishing the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:41.14 and returning $7.60 as second choice in a field of 10 older horses.
John Bourke is the trainer, co-owner, and co-breeder of Danefield a 5-year-old gelding by Kentucky Dane. This was the fourth win from 21 career starts for Danefield, who was coming off an easy win over the local turf in statebred claiming company. He was hammered down late from a 12-1 morning line.
Corner Office delivers in Hoover
Corner Office and Condemnation, two of four Tim Hamm-trained 2-year-olds grouped together for wagering purposes, dominated the 5 1/2-furlong Hoover in sweeping the top two spots. Thedayofthegrey was third, while another Hamm trainee, Tantrum, checked in fourth in a field of eight.
Corner Office, a dark bay gelding by Bal a Bali, was always prominent from his outside post, putting away Nebulosa before going head-and-head outside of Condemnation to the furlong grounds. He then pulled away to win by 1 3/4 lengths, finishing in 1:06.26 over a fast track and returning $2.80 as part of the heavily favored four-way entry.
Corner Office, carrying the rarely-seen 1Y saddletowel, was coming off a June 17 maiden romp at Thistledown. He is owned by Winblaze LLC.