Leona's Reward repeats in Bricker Memorial; Mobil Solution wins Radosevich Memorial

Leona's Reward got the last laugh on True Cinder for the season in emphatic fashion, cruising by 14 lengths over her rival for a repeat victory in the $85,000 Bobbie Bricker Memorial Handicap on Saturday at Mahoning Valley.

This was the fourth stakes victory on the season, and the sixth overall, for Leona's Reward ($3.80), a Parents' Reward filly bred, co-owned, and trained by Tim Hamm. After finishing second behind True Cinder in the Dr. T.F. Classen Memorial Stakes in May, Leona's Reward has now handed the latter three consecutive defeats in the Catlaunch Stakes, Ohio Debutante, and Bricker.

Overall, Leona's Reward has won four of her last five outings, the only blip being a fourth in the Best of Ohio Distaff.

Leona's Reward was away in good order with regular rider Pablo Morales in the irons and had assumed the lead through a half-mile in a moderate 49.82 seconds. She continued to widen her advantage from there, taking a four-length lead into the stretch and pouring it on to widen to her final margin. She finished the 1 1/16 miles in 1:48.55 on a track rated fast.

True Cinder was a clear second, finishing 10 3/4 lengths clear of Grizabella. The filly had won six consecutive races, including four stakes, before dropping three in a row to Leona's Reward.

One race prior, Mobil Solution outkicked Midnight Mikey to win the $75,000 Joshua Radosevich Memorial Stakes for Ohio-accredited 2-year-olds by 2 3/4 lengths. Mobil Solution, trained by Jeff Radosevich for owner Gerald Silver, turned the tables after having finished third behind Midnight Mikey in the Loyalty Stakes in September at Belterra Park.

Mobil Solution pressed the pace set by Freekson and poked his head in front entering the stretch as Midnight Mikey ranged up to challenge. But Mobil Solution, under Luis Rivera, kicked away in the lane, finishing the six furlongs in 1:15.04.

After Midnight Mikey, it was 5 3/4 lengths back to the fading Freekson in third.

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