Ohio breeding: Down but not out!

from the Ohio Standardbred Development Fund

Columbus, OH — “It seems like everywhere I go somebody is complaining about the state of our industry in Ohio,” said Doug Thomas, Administrator of the Ohio Sires Stakes.

“Now, I can’t blame them due to the rise and resurrection of our neighboring states who are flourishing because of the addition of slot revenues, but sometimes I think Ohio horsemen are their own worst enemy. They sometimes exaggerate how bad things really are and unfortunately other horsemen hear what is said and either leave the state or don’t come here because of what has been said.

“Let’s take a look at this past weekend’s results from around the country and I think you’ll find that Ohio-breds are doing very well for themselves,” Thomas added.

On Saturday at the Meadowlands, Noble Falcon, a son of Nobleland Sam ($3,000 stud fee) won the $30,000 4-year-old open for the second week in a row. Also, at the Meadowlands on Saturday, Dream Proof, a son of Stand Forever ($2,000 stud fee) won for a purse of $32,000.

At Yonkers in the $50,000 Levy, Psilvuheartbreaker, a son of Nobleland Sam, was second. Also at Yonkers, Pharm Review, a son of Market Report, won for a purse of $11,000.

At Woodbine, Rose Run Hooligan, a son of the late Corleone, won for a purse of $18,000, and at Hoosier Park, Mai Tai Guy, a son of Towner’s Big Guy, won for a purse of $6,500.

On Monday, Buck I St Pat, a daughter of Jailhouse Jesse ($3,000 stud fee), won the $85,000 Classic Oaks at Dover Downs in a track record time of 1:53, just one-fifth of a second off the world record.

This list does not include the many Ohio-breds that won at Northfield and Lebanon this weekend.

All of the above mentioned winners were produced by Ohio stallions and Ohio mares.

“I wish things were as good as our surrounding states, but I know there will always be a good Sires Stakes program and fair racing program in Ohio,” stated Thomas. “They may not be as lucrative as our surrounding states, but the competition is going to be a lot easier.

“When you look at how low our stud fees are and how many different opportunities there are to make money in Ohio, along with how our horses are doing out of state, I still think it is a great value to breed in Ohio. And who knows, maybe our legislatures will find a way to increase our purses in the near future. That might be wishful thinking, but if they do, watch out,” concluded Thomas.

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