Thistledown: Silver Tongued back at track he likes for Cleveland Gold Cup

Silver Tongued was voted Ohio 2-year-old of the year off his win in the $75,000 J.W.Galbraith at Thistledown last fall and he returns to the Cleveland track seeking his second lifetime win in the $75,0000 Daniel Stearns Cleveland Gold Cup for Ohio-bred 3-year-olds on Sunday.

Trained by Jeff Greenhill, Silver Tongued came from far back early in the 1 1/16-mile Galbraith, part of the Best of Ohio series last Oct. 12, to win by 3 1/2 lengths at 23-1. He is winless in five subsequent starts.

Most recently, Silver Tongued finished an even fourth in the $50,000 Green Carpet Handicap at the River Downs at Beulah Park meet June 2. In that statebred event for 3-year-olds, Silver Tongued was taken back early while chasing slow fractions and was unable to make up any distance in the stretch. The 1 1/8-mile distance and a return to the Thistledown surface should help improve his chances in the Gold Cup. Lori Wydick will ride for the first time.

Plain Ol’ Williard breaks from the outside in the nine-horse field and will be trying to win his second consecutive stakes. He won the Green Carpet by nearly five lengths. Plain Ol’ Williard was kept close to the pace in the mile-and-70-yard Green Carpet and that same tactic should suit him well in Sunday’s speed-laden field. Plain Ol’ Williard had a second-best of 23 five-furlong work at Turfway Park on June 22. Gabriel Lagunes retains the mount.

Pyrite Green is part of an uncoupled Pyrite Stable entry and is by far the most accomplished horse in the field, with five victories. Pyrite Green finished second in the Green Carpet last out and has yet to win around two turns. Ricky Feliciano retains the mount.
Rick’s Pick, Sin and Redemption, Sonerford, Act Three, Pyrite Mill, and Owensville are also entered.