Thistledown: Tri-favorites

NORTH RANDALL, Ohio - Truth Matters, Dinkers Millennium, and All Out Springs will likely be the favorites Thursday in the $100,000 Cleveland Gold Cup. Ten Ohio-bred 3-year-olds will run nine furlongs in the Gold Cup.

Truth Matters tuned up for the race with a second in a six-furlong allowance dash here June 19. Prior to that he defeated All Out Springs by a neck in the 1 1/16-mile Green Carpet stakes at River Downs. An Is It True gelding, Truth Matters likes to run on or near the lead, and is capable of wiring this field under Jeffrey Skerrett.

Dinkers Millennium has displayed vast improvement over his 2-year-old form for trainer Joe Shuman. He has won both of his starts this year, the latest a 3 3/4-quarter length win going two turns. Dinkers Millennium likes to settle into stride before doing his best running and the distance of the Gold Cup suits him. Tony Caminita has the mount.

All Out Springs has won four of his five starts this year, including two stakes. He runs best when on the lead and will give Truth Matters a strong argument for the early fractions. Scott Spieth will ride for trainer Chuck Burneson.