Hey Adrian back in form for Cincinnatian

The 3-year-old filly Hey Adrian snapped a four-race losing streak when she upset older females last month in the J. William Petro Memorial Handicap at Thistledown on one of Ohio’s biggest cards of racing. She now goes back to face 3-year-olds, including some familiar foes, in the $75,000 Cincinnatian Stakes for Ohio-accredited fillies going 1 1/16 miles on turf at Belterra Park.

The Cincinnatian, race 7, shares top billing on Saturday’s card at Belterra Park with the $75,000 Hoover Stakes, an early showcase for statebred juveniles.

In an unusual twist, none of the seven in the Cincinnatian field has raced on turf. There is a good chance of rain in the forecast for the area Friday and Saturday.

Hey Adrian, who is owned and trained by Joshua Faulkner, won the Loyalty Stakes at Belterra Park and the Emerald Necklace Stakes at Thistledown last September. She also finished third in the Glacial Princess Stakes in December at Mahoning Valley. However, she then finished off the board in four consecutive races. That made her the longest shot on the board for the J. William Petro Memorial for Ohio-bred fillies and mares on the Ohio Derby card at Thistledown last month. She won the 1 1/16-mile race by two lengths under regular partner Juan Velez, returning $95.

Radiant Bird, owned by Mast Thoroughbreds and trained by Robert Gorham, was second to Hey Adrian in last year’s Emerald Necklace while still a maiden. She comes into Saturday’s race off a 2 1/2-length allowance score at Thistledown, her first start in nearly seven months.

Mobil Lady won the Glacial Princess Stakes last November at Mahoning Valley, defeating Hey Adrian. However, she has finished fifth, fourth, and seventh in her three outings this year. Tapjen steps up to stakes company for the first time after winning a maiden race and an allowance by a combined nine lengths.

In the Hoover Stakes, carded as the fourth race of the day, Liberate looks to continue a scintillating start to his racing career. The gelding romped by 17 1/4 lengths in his debut June 24 at Thistledown going this 5 1/2-furlong trip. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 73. Alfredo Clemente, aboard for that debut, remains in the irons Saturday.

Liberate, by Gemologist, is a product of the successful partnership between trainer Tim Hamm and WinStar Farm, who combined to breed and own gelding.

Betchaiwill comes into the Hoover off a maiden win at Belterra. The maiden Flint Corn and the first-time starters Lil Bit Krome and Perfectingtheview complete the field.