Vertical Threat romps in Steel Valley Sprint

Vertical Threat invaded from California to win one of Ohio's biggest races Monday at Mahoning Valley, setting the pace and drawing off to win the $200,000 Steel Valley Sprint for open 3-year-olds by 7 1/2 lengths.

This was the second stakes win on the season for Vertical Threat, who is trained by Richard Baltas for Slam Dunk Racing and MyRacehorse, the micro-share ownership experience group that gained prominence this year for its stake in Kentucky Derby winner Authentic. Vertical Threat won the Smiling Tiger Stakes in July at Del Mar in his third career start, but then finished sixth in the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile on Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs after setting the pace.

He was a fresh horse for the Steel Valley and had honed his speed with sharp works in California prior to shipping out of state again.

Vertical Threat ($4.20), who was sent away favored, broke sharply from the rail under Heriberto Figueroa and had assumed clear command through the opening quarter in 22.89 seconds. He was still rolling around the far turn and hit the quarter pole 1 1/2 lengths in front through the half in 45.59. The outcome was never in doubt as he continued to widen down the stretch to his final margin, finishing full of run. He stopped the clock in 1:10.07 for the six furlongs.

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Williston Way and Flatter Me Please vied with one another throughout as they tracked the pace in second and third, respectively. Williston Way turned back his foe in the final sixteenth to hold second by a head.

After the top three, it was 6 1/2 lengths back to Night Time in fourth, followed, in order, by Relentless Dancer, Best of Ohio Sprint winner Chief Randel, Try Try Again, Jamaican Magic, Dark Oak, Nano, Sacred Warrior, and the Group 3 winner Fore Left, who was never a threat after he was in tight early.