Thistledown 2018 Meeting Concludes

The 2018 live racing season at JACK Thistledown Racino came to a close Saturday after 100 days that saw Ohio Derby starters make national waves, the Best of Ohio series return to North Randall and familiar names lead the season's standings.

After finishing second by a nose in the Ohio Derby (G3), Lone Sailor earned his first graded stakes in the Oklahoma Derby (G3). It was the second straight year the Ohio Derby produced the Oklahoma Derby winner, following Untrapped last year. Trigger Warning, third at 86-1 in the Ohio Derby, followed with a second in the Indiana Derby (G3) and is now Grade 1-placed after finishing third in the Pennsylvania Derby. Ohio Derby contenders Flameaway, Diamond King and Title Ready also later placed in graded stakes.

The Best of Ohio series saw crowns passed, champions return and newcomers rise. Two-time Ohio Horse of the Year Mo Dont No won the Endurance for the third straight year. Altissimo got the best of five-time champion Rivers Run Deep in the Sprint, and Takechargedelilah caught Ohio's champion handicap mare Leona's Reward in the Distaff. Drillit and Diamond Dust stamped themselves juveniles to watch in the John W. Galbreath and Juvenile Stakes, respectively.

De La Cruz, Radosevich, Loooch Racing Stables Repeat as Season Leaders

From 384 mounts Walter De La Cruz led all jockeys with 81 wins, including the listed Lady Jacqueline Stakes with Dutch Parrot. Luis H. Colon, aboard for the Juvenile win with Diamond Dust, was second with 65 wins from 221 mounts. Ricardo Feliciano, who rode Proper Discretion to win both the Scarlet and Gray Handicap and the J. William Petro Memorial, was third with 61 wins from 258 mounts.

Jeff Radosevich, the track's leading trainer across a dozen meets, again led the trainer standings, finishing with 83 wins from 303 starters. Among his winners were Mo Dont No in the Best of Ohio Endurance and Mobil Solution in the Catlaunch Stakes. Robert Gorham, who trains Galbreath winner Drillit, was second with 44 wins from 257 starters. Gary Johnson, who resurrected his training career in 2017 after a 10-year absence, was one win behind in third with 43 wins from 250 starters, including Diana Stakes winner Heavenhasmynikki.

The trainer standings reflect powerhouse owners with large stables. Radosevich is the primary trainer for leading owner Loooch Racing Stables, who finished the season with 90 wins from 297 starters. The stable campaigns 2018 stakes winners Mo Dont No, Heavenhasmynikki and Proper Discretion. Gorham trains for runner-up Mast Thoroughbreds, whose 25 winners from 150 starters included stakes winner Drillit. Johnson trains for Irish Charm Thoroughbreds, who tied for third with Michael Friedman. Both owners finished with 19 wins, Irish Charm from 139 starters and Friedman from 80 starters.

Live racing returns to JACK Thistledown Racino April 27, 2019. Simulcast racing continues daily year round.