Startin Something back on turf amid losing streak

Trainer Tim Hamm is trying to turn back the clock with his 7-year-old mare Startin Something. A consistent performer throughout her 50-race career, with 12 victories, 37 top-three finishes, and a bankroll of $535,145, Startin Something is mired in a 22-race losing streak since her last victory in September 2013.

In an attempt to snap that long drought, Hamm is putting Startin Something back on turf for the first time in three years in Sunday’s $75,000 Vivacious Handicap for Ohio-bred fillies and mares at Belterra Park.

The Vivacious, scheduled for 1 1/16 miles, is the co-feature with the $75,000 Horizon for Ohio-bred 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on grass.

In 2011, Startin Something won her first two tries on turf in the Cincinnatian and the Horizon, both at River Downs. In her only other turf start, she finished third in the 2012 Vivacious.

The other mare with proven turf form is the 8-year-old Derby Day Storm. She upset high-priced optional claimers at 18-1 in her most recent start on grass at Indiana Grand a year ago and was second at 45-1 in the 2011 Vivacious.

Turf form is nonexistent in the Horizon, where five of the nine starters are maidens and eight of the 3-year-olds are racing on turf for the first time. Based on pedigree, the best candidate to excel on the new surface is Blazing Charcoal. His dam, All the Honor, won 5 of 7 starts on turf, including a pair of stakes at Calder.

Vivacious Handicap, Race 6

KEY CONTENDERS

Derby Day Storm (Last 3 Beyers: 2-39-54)

This 10-time winner has been dismal recently, beating just three horses total in her last three starts. But she has a license to improve while shifting back to turf for trainer Bryan Metz, who shows a 2-for-8 record and a sensational $9.10 return on investment with route runners moving from dirt to turf.

Startin Something (Last 3 Beyers: 53-20-47)

Despite her long losing streak, she continues to pick up checks, posting seven runner-up finishes from her last 22 losses. Hard to tell whether she can regain the good turf form she displayed long ago.

Floral Sky (Last 3 Beyers: 0-63-45)

She may have hated the slop when she was eased in her most recent start going long at ThistleDown. This 5-year-old mare would trounce this group if she can come anywhere close to the 86 Beyer Speed Figure she earned in finishing second in a high-priced optional claimer on turf at Woodbine last summer.

Horizon Stakes, Race 4

KEY CONTENDERS

Blazing Charcoal (Last 3 Beyers: 36-57-58)

Makes his turf debut for a trainer who is 1 for 16 with first-time turf runners, including an 0-for-6 record in Ohio-bred stakes. His dam excelled on turf, however, and unlike most of his competition here, this colt at least owns a win going long.

Eightthehardway (Last 3 Beyers: 39-51-43)

Defeated open company going long in February. Trainer Hamm is 3 for 11 with a $4.27 ROI with first-time turf runners in stakes.

Mound (Last 3 Beyers: 40-38-36)

Last year’s top Ohio-bred 2-year-old male is 0 for 7 this season and has finished last in his two most recent starts. His sire has produced two winners from five starts among 3-year-olds in turf routes, so he might improve with the move back to Ohio-breds and a new surface.