Silver Tongued seeks title defense in Governor’s Buckeye Cup

Silver Tongued, first and second as the favorite in the last two runnings of one of the two longest races of the season for Ohio-breds, looks like a formidable threat again Saturday in the 67th running of the $75,000 Governor’s Buckeye Cup at ThistleDown.

As a 3-year-old in 2013, Silver Tongued was the runner-up as the even-money choice in the 1 1/4-mile Governor’s Buckeye Cup, and he came from ninth to get up by a half-length as the 5-2 choice in last year’s renewal. Silver Tongued tuned up for Saturday’s race in an open-company allowance at Belterra Park, where he posted a career-best 77 Beyer Speed Figure in a neck loss to Conniption Fit, who is 4 for 4 this season and 7 for 11 lifetime.

The field also includes Plain Ol’ Willard, who upset last fall’s 1 1/4-mile Ohio Endurance at 16-1, and Jac’s Fact, the runner-up to Plain Ol’ Willard in his only try going 10 furlongs.

Key contenders

Silver Tongued (Last 3 Beyers: 77-63-45)

* His past success in this event, his recent runner-up performance, and a bullet five-furlong workout in 59.60 seconds all provide strong evidence that he deserves to be favored for the third straight year.

Plain Ol’ Willard (Last 3 Beyers: 57-43-39)

* He owns a win going the distance but is just 1 for 14 at ThistleDown, and he hasn’t seriously threatened the winner in any of his five starts this season. He was a distant sixth in this race last year and fifth in 2013.

Jac’s Fact (Last 3 Beyers: 80-62-64)

* Owns the best last-race Beyer for his near miss in a no-conditions allowance for open company 3 1/2 weeks ago at Belterra Park. Prior to that, he dominated Ohio-breds in the 1 1/8-mile George Lewis locally.

Putalilenglishonit (Last 3 Beyers: 38-35-70)

* His sire, English Channel, has produced offspring who win at a 15 percent clip (16 for 109) in races at 1 1/4 miles or longer. Has worked a stamina-building 12 furlongs in the 15 days leading up to his first start in two months. Won by 11 1/4 lengths going a mile off a similar layoff last year.

Dubacious (Last 3 Beyers: 71-71-65)

* Is a half-brother to Silver Tongued, so perhaps he can handle the distance if he gets away with soft early fractions, though he finished 11th after being hard used through six furlongs in the 1 1/4-mile Ohio Endurance.