Ring of Greatness unbeaten on synthetic

Ring of Greatness will try to keep his unbeaten synthetic record intact when he faces seven other 3-year-olds in Saturday's $100,000 Tom Ridge at Presque Isle Downs.

Ring of Greatness won at first asking at Woodbine last Aug. 2 and was claimed by Reade Baker out of the five-furlong race, which he took by 10 widening lengths. In his first out for Baker, he went off as the 3-5 favorite at Charles Town in the $100,000 Juvenile on Aug. 23, but he had trouble at the start of the 4 1/2-furlong event and was soundly beaten.

In his 2009 debut, April 9 at Woodbine, Ring of Greatness won an allowance race by 4 1/2 lengths, ridden out. He has yet to go the six-furlong distance of the Tom Ridge, but his bullet work May 2 at Woodbine going five furlongs is a good indicator that all systems are go. Jim McAleney will ship in from Woodbine to ride.

Great Love is the most accomplished runner in the Tom Ridge, having won four races and more than $95,000. Trained by John Robb, Great Love has won his last two starts. He won a 6 1/2-furlong allowance at Charles Town on Feb. 21 by a neck, and after coming off a two-month freshening, he won an April 25 optional claimer by 4 3/4 lengths. In both of those victories, he came from just off the pace, but he has won on the lead and may need to stay close Saturday as Ring of Greatness appears to be the lone speed. Erick Rodriguez gets the mount on Great Love for the first time.

Others in the field are Oyster Cat, War Action, Jogja, He Ain't Right, Players List, and Perfect Officer. The Tom Ridge is scheduled to be run as the seventh of eight races on Saturday.