Local Stakes Updates

Congratulations to owner-trainer Olivo Iniro and jockey Rigo Sarmiento, the connections of Rose DeBartolo Memorial Stakes winner Runaway Julie. The win was their first stakes victory in the United States. According to Thistledown's press release:

Iniro, who is from the Dominican Republic, moved to Puerto Rico and started training in 1974 at El Comandante Racetrack. He was a successful trainer overseeing a stable of 90 horses and capturing several stakes events. In 1997 Iniro decided to try his hand in the United States and moved his tack to Ocala, Florida. He came to Ohio last year with only six horses and has built his stable to over 20 horses during his second season at Thistledown.

Sarmineto is in his second year at Thistledown as well. He started riding in 1991 in his home country of Venezuela and he made his way over to the United States in 2004; he previously rode at Calder Race Course and Gulfstream Park in Florida.

Winning a major stakes race is easy when you follow directions. "I followed my instructions for the race, stay in the middle of the pack and close at the end," said Sarmiento. "The ride was easy for me as I have ridden her before in a stake last year."

Runaway Julie, a five year-old gray roan mare by Left Banker out of the Runaway Groom mare Runaway Babbie, captured her seventh career win in 36 starts.

Equibase's chart of the DeBartolo is available here, free of charge for the next couple of days.
In other local stakes action last weekend, cat Singer captured Monday's Governor's Buckeye Cup, his first win at a mile and a quarter. Condolences to the connections of Not Broke Yet, who suffered a terrible break down in the stretch. Equibase's charts for Monday's card are available here.

At Northfield, Saturday night's card featured the Scarlet and Gray Stakes for 4-and 5-year olds, and five divisions of Ohio Sires Stakes for two-year-old colts and geldings. Charts are available here.