Water Into Wine awarded Green Carpet victory after disqualification

In a dramatic confrontation in one of the day's five $100,000 Best of Ohio stakes on Friday at Belterra Park, Water Into Wine pressed favored Mark My Words throughout the Green Carpet Stakes, as those two separated themselves from the other 3-year-olds in a race that, like all other turf races on the card, was moved off the grass. Mark My Words crossed the line a neck in front, but he bumped Water Into Wine repeatedly in the stretch, and Water Into Wine was awarded the victory via disqualification.

The duo finished 13 lengths in front of third-place Global Event.

It was the first career stakes win for Water Into Wine ($12), an Always Dreaming gelding trained by Tim Hamm, who also co-bred and co-owns him. Hector Diaz Jr. was aboard, covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.36 on a fast dirt track. Water Into Wine knocked on the door in classy company last year by finishing second in the Best of Ohio Juvenile at Mahoning Valley.

The Best of Ohio Sydney Gendelman, for older horses, went to Ekati's Way ($6.60), who bid three wide after the opening half under Victor Fernandez and powered to the line to win by 1 1/2 lengths in a time of 1:45.74. He is trained and co-owned by Robert Cline.

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In a salty field for the Best of Ohio Babst/Palacios Memorial for older sprinters, favored Superwolf ($3.40) led throughout and lasted by a nose over Win Herbie Win, giving jockey Erik Barbaran a win on the card after he had been taken down aboard Mark My Words. This mount on the 2025 Best of Ohio Sprint winner came for trainer Robert Gorham and Mast Thoroughbreds.

The sister race, the Best of Ohio Diana, was also claimed by a favorite in City Scene ($3.20), who took over turning into the stretch and powered clear by 3 1/2 lengths for James Jackson and Elkhorn Oaks.

Rounding out the activity was the best of Ohio Norm Barron Queen City Oaks, in which the 1 1/16-mile distance helped R U Enticed ($31.60) pull off an upset, rallying from eighth around the far turn to a 3 3/4-length win. The filly, trained by Tom Drury Jr. for Bobby Rankin, had bested males at the distance in a maiden race last September but was dismissed in her first start off a layoff.

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