Runningforspeight bred for the turf

Runningforspeight gets the surface and distance he wants when he faces seven other Ohio-registered 3-year-olds in the $50,000 Green Carpet at River Downs. Trainer Tim Hamm has been waiting for this Ohio-bred turf stakes.

"He is out of a Lord at War mare so we feel like he will love the turf and distance," Hamm said. "He is a super talented colt.

Runningforspeight won his maiden last time out after making his first two starts at Gulfstream Park and then finishing second to Brother Terry in the H.B. Noonan Stakes at Beulah Park.

"In his first out at Gulfstream he ran second to a horse that they were expecting to be graded placed," Hamm said. "In his next out the track was just a quagmire and he didn't do well over it. He came around with a good second in the Noonan and then ran a big race in his last one."

In his five-furlong maiden score, he won by eight lengths over nine open-company rivals, including older horses. Runningforspeight drew post 2 in the eight-horse Green Carpet.

"I think we got a good draw for him, he is a good gate horse, and should be forwardly placed early," Hamm said. Victor Carrero will come in to ride.

Hamm will also send out Raise the Reward, the 2008 Ohio juvenile champion. Although there is common ownership, they will race as separate betting interests. The Ohio Racing Commission permitted Hamm's horses to run separately after only 13 nominations were received for the race.

Bold Captain won the Best of Ohio Juvenile last year at the same 1 1/16-mile distance as this event, and has a series of bullet works at Thistledown. Miguel Feliciano trains Bold Captain and Vernon Bush will ride.