Pyrite Personal on a roll

Pyrite Personal will attempt to complete a stakes-winning hat trick and extend his winning streak to four in the $75,000 Governors Buckeye Handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Thistledown. He faces nine Ohio-bred 3-year-olds and upward, including his entrymate Forest Picnic.

Pyrite Personal, a 3-year-old son of Bernstein, has not raced since June 30 when he won the 1 1/8-mile Cleveland Gold Cup at Thistledown by a widening five lengths. Prior to that, he had back-to-back wins on the grass at River Downs in the Green Carpet Stakes and an allowance affair.

He will be facing older horses for the second time on Monday. In his other effort he was a rallying second going six furlongs. Pyrite Personal has the speed to be on or near the lead. Vernon Bush, who handled him in two wins at River Downs, will come in to ride Pyrite Personal for trainer Miguel Feliciano.

Main opposition to Pyrite Personal should come from What the Devil and Catlaunch.

What the Devil also is working on a four-race winning streak. The 5-year-old Devil His Due gelding has been steadily improving. Dale Beckner will ride for trainer Michael Maker.

Catlaunch is a multiple stakes winner who has won 4 of his 7 races this year and finished second three times. He is a tried-and-true router. Trainer Ivan Vasquez has named Jeffrey Skerrett to ride.