Thistledown 🏇🏾// Sat., June 21, 2025

Happy Saturday & National Martini Day! 🍸

We're back! After taking a few weeks to recover from the Belmont Festival and all its excitement, we're headed to Ohio to play the ponies at Jack Thistledown Racino in North Randall, OH. Today marks the biggest day of the year at the track, and we want to share our thoughts on the action.

There are a total of 12 races today, including five stakes races, with the featured event being the Ohio Derby. This race is a 1 and 1/8 mile route on dirt for three-year-olds only. The purse for the Ohio Derby is $500,000, and we can expect to see some familiar names from the road to the Kentucky Derby. Although most of these horses recently competed in the big race, their connections are aiming for a grade three victory here.

Weather-wise, the day will start off rainy but is expected to clear up, leading to a pleasant afternoon at the track. We anticipate highs in the upper 80s with mostly sunny skies. The track is rated fast, and since there is no turf course, we don't have to worry about the early rain affecting the races.

We’ve missed capping the ponies and are excited to be back. Just like in other major sports, this is a quieter time for horse racing now that the biggest races are behind us. However, that doesn't mean we won't have cards ready for you to cash some tickets!

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The Ohio Derby, first run in 1876 at Chester Park in Cincinnati, is one of the oldest Thoroughbred races in the United States. After periods of dormancy and venue changes, it found a permanent home at Thistledown Racino near Cleveland in 1953. Traditionally run in late June, the race is open to three-year-olds and has served as a significant post-Triple Crown test for up-and-coming horses or late bloomers. Over the years, it has seen notable winners such as Skip Away and Broad Brush, and in 2020, it regained Grade III status, reaffirming its place as a respected fixture on the summer racing calendar.

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Need help picking winners? We've got you covered! Our (Always Free) Lundin Line's top picks and best bets are below. We use them to help narrow the field while putting our tickets together. The first post will be here soon, so don't be late -

It's time to get #InTheMoney! 💰💰💰

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Thistledown 🏇🏾 // Sat., June 21st 2025

First Post @ 12:00 EDT / 9:00 (PDT)

R1: 6-1-2-3

R2: 2-3-5

R3: 2-12-3-8

R4: 5-6-2

R5: 8-2-6-7

R6: 5-3-9-6

R7: 9-1-4-8

R8Ⓢ: 12⭑-4-10-8

R9Ⓢ: 2-8-1-3

R10Ⓢ: 1-9-11-10

R11Ⓢ: 6⭑-7-4-5

🏇R12Ⓢ: 6-2-4-10

Mr. W: 6-2-10-4

Mr. Fink: 4-2-6-10

🏇 = Featured Race(s)

⭑ Best Bet(s)

R8: Villian (#12)

R11: Where's My Ring (#6)

Ⓢtakes Races:

R8: 75K George Lewis Mem. S.

R9: 75K Daniel Stearns Cleveland Gold Cup S.

R10: 75K Dr. T.F. Classen Mem. S.

R11: 250K Lady Jacqueline S.

🏇R12: 500K Ohio Derby (G3)

1 1/18 Miles on Dirt for 3 Yr. Olds

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Photo from our friends at National Day Calendar

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Hit us up @_TurtleSports and let us know what you think!

Oh, and don't forget to follow us @_TurtleSports and subscribe to our site so you don't miss any of the action. You'll be glad you did!

/ As always, please forgive any typos and grammatical errors