River Downs: Ohio breds

Horseplayers may want to pay attention to the six Ohio-bred 2-year-olds who will run in the $40,000 Hoover Stakes at River Downs on Saturday.

The notion that a good horse can come from anywhere was undercored by last year's Hoover. The winner, Harlan's Holiday, established himself as a top 3-year-old, winning the Florida Derby and Blue Grass Stakes, and was the favorite in the Kentucky Derby.

Also emerging from last year's Hoover was U S S Tinosa, who placed twice in graded stakes in California this spring and finished sixth in the Preakness.

Hackendiffy, a half-brother to U S S Tinosa, dominated his five rivals in the Cleveland Kindergarten Stakes at Thistledown last month and will be a heavy favorite to repeat in the six-furlong Hoover. Based at the Churchill Downs barn of Bernie Flint, Hackendiffy has two bullet works in recent weeks, both in 47 seconds for a half-mile.

Jeff Johnston has the mount on Hackendiffy.

The main threat to Hackendiffy may come from Buckeye Teddy, who easily won his debut by three lengths over Ohio-breds on July 18.

Hackendiffy would need to be softened by a fast pace for Buckeye Teddy to have a chance, a situation that appears remote.