Midnight Mikey breaks maiden in Loyalty Stakes

Midnight Mikey turned the tables on favored Play Ball, breaking his maiden with an upset victory in the $75,000 Loyalty Stakes for Ohio-accredited 2-year-olds on Saturday at Belterra Park.

Midnight Mikey ($19.20) races as a homebred for Ruberto Racing Stable, and is trained by Sharon Ruberto. In his only previous start, the Dark Kestrel colt finished fourth, beaten just over 6 1/2 lengths, in a maiden special weight on Aug. 16 at Thistledown. Play Ball won that race by 3 1/4 lengths on the lead, resulting in his favoritism for the Loyalty.

Play Ball bobbled at the start of Saturday's race as he broke from the rail, but quickly established the lead through a brisk opening quarter of 22.88 seconds while pressed by Mobil Solution. He shook clear to lead by 1 1/2 lengths through a slowed-down half in 47.09. Meanwhile, Midnight Mikey, who had broken from post 2 under Ronald Dale Allen Jr., was fourth with a quarter-mile remaining. Allen eased the colt out to rally five wide. He poked a head in front in midstretch, and powered clear to win by 2 1/2 lengths, finishing the six furlongs in 1:12.49.

Play Ball held second by a length over Mobil Solution. It was another 7 1/2 lengths back to second choice Funnel Cake, the only other prior winner in the field, in fourth.