No Garlic formidable favoite in Cleveland Kindergarten

No Garlic will attempt to keep his record unblemished as he goes after his second stakes win while facing eight maiden 2-year-old Ohio-bred rivals in the 19th running of the $50,000, six-furlong Cleveland Kindergarten Stakes at Thistledown.

No Garlic is undefeated in two starts. In his most recent outing on July 10, he led every step of the way en route to a 3 1/2-length win in the 5 1/2-furlong Hoover Stakes at River Downs. He won his maiden race at first asking at River Downs on June 28 going five furlongs.

No Garlic has been in front at every call in his two races and appears to be the lone speed in Saturday’s race. The extra sixteenth of a mile should be well within his racing scope as he has widened through the stretch in both of his wins.

No Garlic is trained by William Cowans and will once again be ridden by Dean Sarvis. As the highweight at 120 pounds, No Garlic concedes three pounds to each of his rivals.

The main opposition for No Garlic should come from Rockwell Torrey and Ranger Rob, who finished second third behind him in the Hoover.
Rockwell Torrey chased No Garlic all the way and appears to have the best chance of registering an upset. He may benefit from the extra ground and a little improvement off his last race could net him a victory. Luis A. Gonzalez will ride for trainer Mike L. Rone.

Ranger Rob was an even third in the Hoover, then shipped to Mountaineer to face maidens going five furlongs. He has been third in all three of his career starts. Trainer Jeffrey D. Jackson has given the mount to Thistledown’s leading rider, Ernesto Oro.

The dark horse in the race may be Wild Bling, who was an even fifth in the Hoover in his career debut. He comes into the race with a bullet work over the synthetic track at Presque Isle Downs. Tim Hamm trains and Noel Vigil has the mount.