Juveniles get tested in Hoover Stakes
Twelve Ohio-bred 2-year-olds get tested for class and stamina in Saturday’s $75,000 Hoover Stakes at Belterra Park.
Only five of the runners in the 5 1/2-furlong Hoover have cleared their maiden condition, and most are exiting 4 1/2-furlong maiden races. The fastest is Crazycantberighted, who ships in from northwest Pennsylvania after winning on Tapeta at Presque Isle Downs in his career debut with a 64 Beyer Speed Figure.
The filly Classical Music, the colt Cake Pop, and the gelding Mister Peppers all won first time out at Belterra with Beyers in the narrow range of 40 to 45. The filly Sheltowee’s Afleet won her second start by a nose in a race that came back with a low 25 Beyer.
Hoover Stakes, Race 7
KEY CONTENDERS
Crazycantberighted, by Hat Trick
Beyer: 64
◗ He rallied from five lengths off the pace to draw off by two lengths June 5 for high-percentage trainer Ron Potts. The fourth-place finisher came back to win with a 54 Beyer.
◗ Potts is 4 for 22 (18 percent) with 2-year-olds switching from synthetic to dirt but just 1 for 6 with those making the move following a maiden win.
Cake Pop, by Notional
Beyer: 45
◗ He’s the only horse in the field to have won going as far as five furlongs.
◗ Trainer Michael Lauer is 1 for 14 with last-out 2-year-old maiden winners.
Classical Music, by Albertus Maximus
Beyer: 41
◗ She won by three lengths despite bearing out badly in the stretch.
◗ She’s a half-sister to Rivers Run Deep, who won multiple statebred sprint stakes.
Mister Peppers, by Hold Me Back
Beyer: 40
◗ Romped by nearly eight lengths in his career debut June 5 and now adds Lasix.
◗ Trainer Bob Gorham is 3 for 12 (25 percent) with 2-year-olds coming off a win in their career debut.
Our Lucky Warrior, by Bold Warrior
Beyer: 0
◗ Ran poorly against open company but adds Lasix and sheds blinkers for new trainer William Connelly.
◗ Since changing barns, he worked a bullet five furlongs last Sunday, a hint that he may improve dramatically in his second start.