Thistledown track report

NORTH RANDALL, Ohio - Waist Gunner John will be a heavy favorite on Saturday when he faces 12 Ohio-bred 3-year-olds and upward in the $35,000 Summit Silver Cup at six furlongs.

Waist Gunner John won several stakes last year, including the Best of Ohio Sprint Championship at Beulah Park. In his last race, he finished a fast-closing second, beaten a head, in the prep for the Summit Silver Cup on April 21. That race indicates owner-trainer Chuck Kovach has him near the top of his form. If that is the case he will have little difficulty winning his first stakes of the year Saturday.

Waist Gunner John is the highweight at 125 pounds, and will be spotting his rivals from eight to 14 pounds. He will be ridden by leading rider Mike Rowland.

Main opposition should come from Icy Star and Heat Seeker. Each made his seasonal debut in the prep for the Summit Silver Cup. Icy Star dueled for the lead into the stretch before tiring to be beaten six lengths. Heat Seeker had speed for three furlongs and was beaten 9 3/4 lengths. He was stakes placed in 2002.