Hoover’s large field makes it better betting race than Cincinnatian
All $75,000 races are not created equal. Case in point: two Ohio-bred stakes to be run Sunday at Belterra Park.
Whereas the Cincinnatian drew a short field of 3-year-old fillies badly lacking in respectable form, the Hoover is a terrific wagering event that might even produce a prospect of note from its field of 13 2-year-olds.
The Hoover, to be run at 5 1/2 furlongs, should be hotly contested at the windows and on the racetrack, with any of a half-dozen statebred juveniles worthy of consideration. Tim Hamm, with the three-ply entry of Kiosk’s Cause, Bucket Beat, and Blingitonagain, appears to hold the strongest hand overall.
Earlier on the card, Senorita Dominguez and her career-high 51 Beyer Speed Figure look best on paper in the Cincinnatian, a 1 1/16-mile turf race that drew a mere five starters.
First post for the eight-race Sunday card is 1:45 p.m. Eastern, with the Cincinnatian (race 4) set for 3:12 and the Hoover (race 7) at 4:39.
The Sunday stakes are part of a 16-race stakes schedule this year at Belterra, the former River Downs located on the southeast edge of Cincinnati. Since a massive transformation of the track into a racino was completed in early 2014, officials have declined to revive their longtime premier events, the Cradle and Bassinet. Those races were last run on Labor Day weekend in 2010.
KEY CONTENDERS
Hoover Stakes (race 7)
Kiosk’s Cause (Last Beyer: 21)
Rail-drawn colt is one of just three starters in the field to actually have won a race, having done so in the Belterra mud on June 25.
Ibelieveinmiracles (Last Beyer: 31)
Gate-to-wire score in his ThistleDown debut was nicely done, and he has the benefit of that experience this time around.
Weavers Ice Cold (Last Beyer: 27)
One of the 10 maidens in here was defeated at odds-on in his only prior outing for Loooch Racing and Joe Sharp. High-profile connections surely will draw solid play again.
Cincinnatian STakes (race 4)
Senorita Dominguez (Last 3 Beyers: 42-3-22)
Her recent form shows plenty of defeats by double-digit lengths, but it’s all relative. At least she has three career victories, which is far better than what the rest of the field has accomplished.
Dramatic Sky (Last 3 Beyers: 28-6-0)
One of three maidens in the lineup, this Joseph Kasmerski homebred stands to lead a long way when stretching out.