Magic Tale kicks clear in Cleveland Kindergarten Stakes

Magic Tale, who was a smashing debut winner in June, validated that performance with a handy victory in the $75,000 Cleveland Kindergarten Stakes for Ohio-bred juveniles on Saturday at Thistledown.

Magic Tale ($3), a Tale of the Cat colt who is trained by Kelly Breen for Bruce Tallisman, blitzed the field by 13 1/2 lengths on debut.

On Saturday, the colt broke alertly under Albin Jimenez, and was under pressure to lead unbeaten Hoover Stakes winner Diamond Dust by a head through a quarter in 21.88 seconds and the half in 45.66. But coming into the lane, he shook his challenger off and moved clear powerfully to win by three lengths, finishing six furlongs in 1:11.82.

“He ran fantastic,” Breen said. “Albin came back and said he was still looking around, still a little green, so we’re optimistic that once he gets his head on straight, he’ll really be running. He’s got a lot more ability than we’ve seen so far.”

After the top two, the field was strung out, as it was 11 3/4 lengths back to Private Drive, followed 5 3/4 lengths back by Into the Out and Ohio Player.