Thistledown: Caviar N Champagne tough off last

Caviar N Champagne will ship in from her Monmouth Park base for Saturday’s $50,000 Miss Ohio Stakes at Thistledown. Five Ohio-bred 2-year old fillies were entered for the six-furlong Miss Ohio.

Trained by Allen Iwinski, Caviar N Champagne won her most recent outing over $50,000 maiden claimers at Saratoga on July 29. She took command early and then drew off to a 7 1/2-length victory in the 5 1/2-furlong race. Prior to that, she finished sixth in her career debut after showing early speed against maiden special weight company at Monmouth on July 10. She will be ridden by local rider Luis Gonzalez for the first time in the Miss Ohio.

Undefeated Motega could offer Caviar N Champagne a strong challenge. She is 3 for 3 and has won two stakes at River Downs, the Tah Dah Stakes and the Hoover Stakes, which she won by 17 lengths. She won her maiden at Mountaineer Park and has the ability to either run from off the pace or go to the lead. Trained by Joseph Martin, Motega will have her usual rider, Jereth Loveberry, aboard.

Pleasant Cause also has a chance. She returns off a one-length victory in the Cleveland Kindergarten Stakes here Aug. 6. Prior to that, she finished fourth against $12,500 maiden claimers at Calder. She will be ridden by Hector Rosario Jr.