True Cinder, Pyrite Slew get started in Classen Memorial

True Cinder and Pyrite Slew, both idle since closing out their 2-year-old campaigns with stakes victories last fall, will challenge older fillies and mares in Saturday’s first stakes of the season at Thistledown, the $75,000 Dr. T.F. Classen Memorial at six furlongs.

The Classen is restricted to Ohio-accredited females, meaning the horses must be Ohio-bred and sired by a stallion who stands in the Buckeye State.

True Cinder and Pyrite Slew last clashed in the Emerald Necklace at Thistledown on Oct. 1, with Pyrite Slew defeating 3-5 favorite True Cinder by three lengths. True Cinder subsequently crushed maidens and easily won the Glacial Princess in December at Mahoning Valley.

The sharpest recent form belongs to the 4-year-old Leona’s Reward, a two-time stakes winner last season who defeated open allowance company by 14 lengths in her first start of the season April 18.

Dr. T.F. Classen Memorial, Race 7

KEY CONTENDERS

Leona’s Reward, by Parents’ Reward
Last 3 Beyers: 71-47-47

◗ The biggest question is whether she can successfully cut back to a sprint after 10 consecutive route races. She hasn’t sprinted since finishing third in the Glacial Princess as a 2-year-old in November 2015. On the plus side, she was in front or within a head of the lead at the six-furlong call in each of her last eight races.

True Cinder, by Alcindor
Last 3 Beyers: 46-67-36

◗ Trainer Mike Rone shows an 8-for-38 record (21 percent) with sprinters returning after a break of 61 to 180 days. His success among 3-year-olds in that group is 18 percent (2 for 11).

Pyrite Slew, by Lunarpal
Last 3 Beyers: 43-26-23

◗ High-profile trainer Jeff Radosevich isn’t known for his prowess with 3-year-olds returning from 180 days or more on the sidelines (1 for 15). That includes an 0-for-12 mark with 3-year-olds facing older.