True Cinder wins 3-year-old debut in Dr. T.F. Classen Memorial
The 3-year-old filly True Cinder, content to stalk the older odds-on favorite Leona’s Reward after breaking on top, managed to outrun her sharp rival despite drifting out in the stretch run of Saturday’s $75,000 Dr. T.F. Classen Memorial Stakes at Thistledown.
Making her first start since a dominant front-running win in the Glacial Princess at Mahoning Valley Race Course in early December, True Cinder ($9) allowed the 4-year-old Leona’s Reward, cutting back to six furlongs after 10 consecutive route races, to take the lead on the muddy, sealed track. Leona’s Reward, the 4-5 favorite in the six-furlong sprint for Ohio-accredited fillies and mares, led by a half-length after a half-mile in 46.14 seconds and was still a head in front with a furlong remaining as True Cinder drifted out about five wide under left-handed urging by jockey Hector Rosario Jr. True Cinder, a daughter of Alcindor trained and owned by Mike Rone, then responded to Rosario’s hand ride to edge clear by 1 1/4 lengths. Hope’s Frog Song finished third, 5 1/4 lengths behind runner-up Leona’s Reward. The winning time was 1:12.20.
True Cinder is now 3 for 7 with earnings of $143,650.