River Downs: Blazing Bling, The War Department wire their stakes

CINCINNATI - Blazing Bling led from start to finish to win the $50,000 Hoover at River Downs on Saturday afternoon.Trained by Tim Hamm, Blazing Bling was the only filly in the field of Ohio-bred 2-year-old horses.

Jockey Deshawn Parker sent Blazing Bling to the front out of the gate and then set all of the fractions while off the rail. The final margin of victory was two lengths. Urban Renewal chased to no avail and finished second, three lengths in front of Pyrite Green in third. It was nearly 20 lengths back to the fourth horse, Mighty Prize. The running time for the six furlongs was 1.12.57 over a fast track, and Blazing Bling returned $3.40 to win.

The War Department also led from start to finish to win the $50,000 Vivacious for older fillies and mares Saturday. Leading jockey Perry Ouzts kept the 6-year-old mare off the hedge for the entire 1 1/16-mile turf race. Agressive Elegance made a late run to finish second, beaten by three-quarters of a length.

Jockey Albin Jiminez, aboard Agressive Elegance, attempted to get that 3-year-old filly to change leads in mid stretch and she ducked in, impeding Derby Day Storm. Consequently, Agressive Elegance was disqualified and placed fourth. Startin Something was moved to second and Derby Day Storm third.

The running time over a yielding turf course was 1.43.95, and the Mike Rone-trained The War Department returned $10.60 to win.