True Cinder makes Horizon Stakes sixth straight triumph

The outcome was never in doubt as True Cinder took on two familiar fillies and a field of males in the $75,000 Horizon Stakes for Ohio-accredited 3-year-olds Sunday evening on the Belterra Park turf. The filly wired the field for a 5 3/4-length score, earning a chart comment that read “tons best” as she posted her sixth consecutive victory.

True Cinder ($3.40) has won those six races - also including the Cincinnatian Stakes, Glacial Princess Stakes, and Dr. T.F. Classen Memorial Stakes - by a combined 31 lengths. The Alcindor filly is owned and trained by Michael Rone.

True Cinder broke sharply from the rail under Ricardo Feliciano, set fractions of 23.35, 46.76, and 1:10.51 while running comfortably on an uncontested lead, extended her margin when roused around the turn to bring a four-length lead into the stretch, and widened from there. She finished the 1 1/16-miles on turf rated firm in 1:41.32.

The only intrigue was behind True Cinder, as Grizabella closed late to surge past a battling Sugar Lane and Speedy Mobile to secure second by 1 1/2 lengths. Sugar Lane edged Speedy Mobile by three-quarters of a length to round out the trifecta. Sugar Lane and Grizabella had finished second and third, respectively, to True Cinder in the Cincinnatian.