True Cinder dominates Mackey Memorial Angenora Stakes

True Cinder got herself back in the win column in a big way on Saturday at Thistledown, powering to a 6 3/4-length victory in the $75,000 Michael G. Mackey Memorial Angenora Stakes for Ohio-bred fillies and mares.

True Cinder, who is owned and trained by Michael Rone, won six straight races by a combined 31 lengths from November 2016 through last August. That streak included four stakes – the Glacial Princess Stakes, Dr. T.F. Classen Memorial Stakes, Cincinnatian Stakes, and, finally, a 5 3/4-length romp in the Horizon Stakes against males. The races in the streak were on both dirt and turf, at all three of Ohio’s Thoroughbred tracks, at distances from six furlongs to 1 1/16 miles.

But then, rival Leona's Reward got the best of True Cinder. Leona's Reward won a series of stakes as True Cinder finished second behind her in the Catlaunch, third in the Ohio Debutante, second in the Bobbie Bricker Memorial Handicap, and then second in the Dr. T.F. Classen Memorial Stakes on May 5 in her season debut. Getting away from her rival, True Cinder righted the ship.

True Cinder ($12.60) was full of run away from the gate to press the pace under Gerardo Corrales. She assumed the lead midway on the far turn, and led by 1 1/2 lengths entering the stretch, though a half mile in 45.40 seconds. From there, there was no doubt, as she continued to pour it on in the lane to wisen to her final margin. She finished the six furlongs in 1:10.22, getting an 81 Beyer Speed Figure.

La Nina Bronca finished second by a head over 2017 Best of Ohio Distaff winner Mayas Queen Neetee, who was sent away favored.