Dozen scheduled to line up for rich Ohio Derby

The 80th running of the $300,000

Ohio Derby will boast a field of 12

horses, its most impressive field in more than a dozen years, at ThistleDown Racino

on Saturday.

"This year's field of horses is the most impressive

we've seen in more than a decade at ThistleDown," said Patrick Ellsworth,

racing secretary at ThistleDown. "By tripling the purse to $300,000 this

year, we have attracted a higher caliber of horse and jockey to our

signature race, making this year even more exciting."

Among the 12 horses entered is Harry's Holiday, unraced since a

16th-place run in the Kentucky Derby. The Harlan's Holiday colt romped by

eight lengths in the 96Rock Stakes at Turfway Park prior to placings in both

the John Battaglia Memorial and Spiral Stakes. He was unable to factor in

either the Blue Grass or Derby, but could rebound while dropping in class

for trainer Mike Maker and jockey Ron Allen Jr.

Almost Famous and regular rider Calvin Borel have been installed as the

morning-line favorite in the Ohio Derby off a nice third in the Matt Winn

Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 14. The dark bay son of Unbridled's Song

was also well-beaten in the Spiral but didn't have enough points to make the

Kentucky Derby field. Instead, the Pat Byrne pupil showed up on May 24 under

the Twin Spires to romp by 7 3/4 lengths in a 1 1/16-mile allowance prior to

his Matt Winn effort.

The lightly raced Cleburne will line up in the 8 1/2-furlong Ohio Derby

as well. The Dale Romans-trained sophomore boasts just four starts to his

name -- two on dirt when taking the Iroquois Stakes at Churchill and running

third in the Calder Derby, and two on turf when capturing his maiden debut

at Ellis Park last August and finishing a well-beaten ninth in the American

Turf last out under the Twin Spires. He's been working up a storm in the

interim at Churchill and will have Luis Gonzalez aboard Saturday.

Completing the Ohio Derby field are Grade 2-placed stakes victor Brothersofthetime;

stakes hero Bump Start; multiple stakes-placed East Hall; Iowa Derby fourth Russellin; Larcenyinmyheart,

currently riding a four-race win streak; allowance conqueror Mushu; and

maiden scorers Avgolemono and Saa Mi.

Two races before the Ohio Derby, a field of eight Ohio-breds will take to

the track in the $50,000

George Lewis Memorial going nine furlongs on the main track.

A host of activities will energize the apron from noon to 5

p.m. (EDT) on Saturday as part of ThistleDown's Summer of Fun. Children of all ages

are permitted on the apron and in the wagering area on the fourth floor, which

provides 150 high-definition, 60-inch, flat screen TVs for premium viewing of

live and simulcast racing.