Thistledown: Title Contender delivers in Ohio Derby

Title Contender was kept just to the outside of pacesetting Mongolian Saturday until upper stretch and then rallied to win the Grade 3, $100,000 Ohio Derby on Saturday afternoon at Thistledown.

Jockey Hector Rosario Jr. kept Title Contender, a son of Pulpit, within a length of the lead while racing three wide. After his mount went a little wide into the stretch, Rosario asked for run and Title Contender responded. He moved to within a head of Mongolian Saturday with a furlong remaining and then drew clear to win by a length. Braveman finished second, 1 ¼ lengths in front of Handsome Tiger.

Trained by Wayne Catalano, Title Contender ($6) won for the first time in six starts this season. He ran 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in 1:43.80.

Needmore Flattery ($2.60) made quick work of the three-horse field of Ohio-bred 2-year -old fillies when romping in the $50,000 Miss Ohio to remain unbeaten after three starts.

Trained by Tim Hamm, Needmore Flattery took over in upper stretch and drew off to an 8 ¼-length win as jockey Irwin Rosendo pleased. Crafty Blue Kat was second and Abslewtly Divine was third. The running time for 5 ½ furlongs was 1:06.