Let's Go OHIO

 On this Stakes Saturday we look at the Ohio Derby.

Thistledown Race 12 {Ohio Derby~G3~1 1/8 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A reduced field of eight will go to the gate in this annual event.

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

A good group of three-year-olds will battle for a share of the 500K purse. There is enough speed to create an honest pace. Speed figs are fairly close with two in this race having hit the triple digit mark. Only two have experience over the Thistledown track. Three have raced at this exact distance. All have distinguished themself over a dirt surface. It should be a great race to cap off a fine Thistledown card.

#2 Chunk of Gold (Loveberry / E. West) drops in off a decent performance in the Grade one Kentucky Derby. As such he drops in distance with three strong workouts. He should be well positioned in the tracker pack. This colt has hit the board at the distance. A son of Preservationist, he is 80% in the money from five starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#6 Clever Again (J. Ortiz / Asmussen) exits the Grade one Preakness at a longer route and has put in three superb peaking workouts. This colt should be the speed on the front-end. He is the morning-line favorite. A lover of the dirt, he has never gone this distance. A son of American Pharoah, he is 75% in the money from four starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#4 McAfee (J. Velazquez / R. Dutrow) holds the second highest (tie) last out speed number and four solid workouts. This guy also holds the highest speed number at the distance. Look for him to track the pace closely. A son of Cloud Computing, he is 60% in the money from five starts.

$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#3 Capo Luca (L. Gonzalez / Puhl) is seeking his fourth win in a row on a stretch out to this distance. He holds three wins from three starts over the track. This guy is another that will track the pace closely. A son of Laoban, he is 50% in the money from twelve starts.

#10 Mo Plex (J. Ramos / Englehart) holds the highest last out speed number and four fierce workouts. He will be stretching out from a sprint to this route distance. This lad should be racing very close to the pace. A son of Complexity, he is 100% in the money from seven starts.

#5 Extradition (R. Bowen / DeCosta) will stretch out to this distance with the fourth highest last out speed number and one sound workout. This guy should be running swiftly late into the pace. He has hit the board in both of his races over the Thistledown track. A son of Gun Runner, he is 55% in the money from nine starts.

$1 Exacta Wheel ($5.00)

#2 Chunk of Gold  ///  #6 Clever Again,  #4 McAfee,  #3 Capo Luca,  #10 Mo Plex,  #5 Extradition.

Reverse the Wheel ($5.00)

#6,  #4,  #3,  #10,  #5  ///  #2 Chunk of Gold.

Best of luck with all your Stakes Saturday plays!!!