Thistledown: Top Ohio mare Startin Something seeks repeat in Classen Memorial

Startin Something will start her season by heading a field of nine Ohio-accredited fillies and mares in the $50,000 Dr. T.F. Classen Memorial at Thistledown on Friday.

The 5-year-old Startin Something was named Ohio’s top handicap mare and Ohio-accredited female recently at the Ohio Breeders and Owners annual awards dinner. Trained by Tim Hamm, Startin Something won 5 of 11 last season, including four statebred stakes.

Her first win of 2012 came in the Classen, followed by a win May 28 in the Angenora. Both victories were at t six furlongs.

Those wins were followed by an out-of-state victory at Presque Isle Downs in an allowance, a victory in the Rose DeBartolo at Thistledown, and a win in the Bobbie Bricker Memorial at Beulah Park, her final outing of 2012. A pair of bullet works locally signal Startin Something’s readiness to begin 2013 as she did 2012. Deshawn Parker will come in from Mountaineer to ride.

I’m Kiddin is the main threat and has the ability to go gate to wire. Two starts ago at Beulah Park on Feb. 25, the 4-year-old I’m Kiddin won by 14 lengths, earning a career-best 69 Beyer Speed Figure. In her most recent start on April 2 against open company in an optional $16,000 claiming event, I’m Kiddin finished second after leading the first half-mile. She may have bled in that start as Lasix will be added for the first time by trainer Anthony Lowry. Gabriel Lagunes retains the mount.

Ohio-accredited is the more restrictive of the two Ohio-bred categories. Both the sire and dam must be reside in Ohio, whereas when Ohio-registered, the dam must only foal in Ohio.

Scarlet Savvy, My Moulin Rouge, Deniro’s Saint, Isadella, Mobetary Reward, Queens Notice, and Sheza Runaway Star are also entered.