The Ongoing Match Stakes

The ONGOING MATCH Stakes

$ 95,000 Purse

7 furlongs on the dirt

For horses 3yo and up

Well matched field looking for win in Japan

PP # 1 Stonecoal Creek                             @ 6-1

Trained by Jrogue

Ridden by B. Parker

Stonecoal Creek is a five year old stakes placed son of Smart Strike, out of a Nureyev mare.  He’s been lightly raced and was 4 before he made his racing debut.  He was eased in a G1 race last out,  but has five triple digit speed figures in sprints since March.  Look for Parker to have him settle mid pack and be in position to make a move coming around the turn.

PP # 2 Murder Mystery (KY)          @ 23-1

Trained by Tigerman, a member of RASH

Ridden by B. Van Houten

Murder Mystery is a three year old sone of Tactical Cat, out of Red Rum Mystery by Red Ransom.  He has been lightly raced and shows steady improvement entering his stakes debut.  He won a six and a half furlong allowance last out with a speed figure of 101.  He seems to like to go for the front and will try and take it gate to wire.

PP # 3 The Gunslinger                    @ 7/2

Trained by Samurai, a member of the up and coming Blazing Saddles

Ridden by K. Ledwith

Gunslinger is a regally bred stakes winning son of Sadler’s Wells out of a Kingmambo mare.  He’s coming off a career best 108 speed figure at this distance.  He’s ran triple digit speeds all year, and has the tracks top jockey aboard for the ride.  Look for The Gunslinger to be in position around the turn to make his closing move.

PP # 4 Hopes Are Riding (ENG)     @ 51-1

Trained by Twinhollow, a member of Ohio Thoroughbred Racing

Ridden by A. Hudson

Hopes Are Riding is a three year old son of Cacique (IRE) out of Memento Again by Capetown.  He is another lightly raced three year old with steady improvement.  His last race he barely missed the board in a stakes race at this distance.  Look for him to be in a stalking position ready to make a move if the pace is slower than he likes it.

PP # 5 Bethuyne                               @ 6-1

Trained by 4gone, founder of Blazing Saddles

Ridden by D. Davis

Bethuyne is a stakes placed five year old son of Mr. Greeley out of Conn by Giant’s Causeway.  4gone claimed Bethuyne for a mere 15 thousand a year ago this weekend.  Since then he seems to really like the change in trainers.  He led gate to wire in an eight furlong allowance race last out with a speed figure of 100.  He should like this furlong drop in distance and seems to be the only fast speed in this race.  If he gets an uncontested lead, could be a great play at 6-1.

PP # 6 Hammer Of The Gods (KY) @ 9/2

Trained by Elite5

Hammer Of The Gods is a multiple stakes winning four year old by Roman Ruler out of a Private Account mare.  He scored multiple stakes wins at two and three, and won a six and a half furlong allowance race last out with a 108 speed figure.  He’s had solid triple digit figures since June of 2007.  Look for him to be pressing the pace.

PP # 7 Seeking the Gulch (KY)       @ 6-1

Trained by Perko8

Ridden by N. Haller

Seeking the Gulch is a stakes winning four year old son of Seeking the Gold, out of multiple stakes winning mare Royal Gulch by Thunder Gulch.  His last dirt sprint registered a 107 speed figure at six furlongs.  He has shown that he can run equally well on turf or dirt and I feel he will like the extra furlong coming off his last.  He seems to be another horse that will be pressing this pace.

PP # 8 Georgia Rain                        @ 5/2

Trained by Simsters8, a top member of GR Simsters

Ridden by G. Arnold

Georgia Rain is a stakes winning five year old son of Unbridled Son, out of a Green Desert mare.  This favorite has shown to be equally as great on turf as dirt.  He ran a 110 speed figure at 7.5 furlongs last out, with a 112 speed at seven furlong the race before that.  He has ran triple digit speed figures in all five dirt tries this year with a 105 being the lowest in sprints.  Georgia Rain will be sitting close to the back and will make his strong closing move in the stretch.

PP # 9 Magnetic Movement            @9-1

Trained by Kanga, a member of Ireland

Ridden by W.G. Home

Magnetic Movement is a six year old son of Forestry, out of a Shareff Dancer mare.  For a six year old he has been lightly raced, and will be making his stakes debut in this race.  He ran a speed figure of 108 at five and a half furlongs and looks to relish this added distance.  He will be another horse sitting off the pace to make a closing move around the turn.