Thistledown: Father Art gets blinkers

Father Art ships over from Indiana Downs to head a field of nine 3-year-olds in the $35,000 Black Gold Handicap at Thistledown.

Father Art, an Indiana-bred son of Dance Brightly, lost for the first time in his five-race career in his last start at Indiana Downs, when he finished third in the statebred Governors Handicap going 7 1/2 furlongs on the grass. In his previous start, Father Art won a mile and 70-yard statebred allowance there by 13 lengths.

Father Art likes to run on or near the lead and adds blinkers for this race. He is trained by Michael Nance and will have his regular rider Thomas Pompell aboard.

Tri Umet is a consistent Lac Quimet colt who has won 4 of his 7 career starts. In his last start, he stumbled leaving the gate and unseated his rider in an off-the-turf stakes at River Downs. He won a pair of allowance sprints in his other starts this year and is the probable pacesetter in this race. Jeffrey Skerrett will ride for leading trainer Jeff Radosevich.

Of the others, Major Mark would appear to have the best chance. He prepped for this race with an even fourth-place effort in an allowance sprint. He finished second in the Best of Ohio Freshman last November at a mile and 70 yards.