The Michael F. Rowland Memorial Stakes, a $75,000 stakes race, is set to take place on May 3, 2025, at Thistledown. This six-furlong dirt sprint features a competitive field of Ohio-bred 3-year-olds and up, each vying for victory in this prestigious event.
Race Details
- Track: Thistledown
- Distance: 6 furlongs (Dirt)
- Purse: $75,000
- Age Eligibility: 3-year-olds & up (Ohio-bred)
- Post Time: 4:20 PM ET
Horses, Jockeys, Trainers & Pedigrees
1. C V Dynamic (USA) – Dynamic Racer x Victory Pool
- Trainer: Agustin Gonzalez Jr.
- Jockey: Magdaleno Salazar
- Owner: Campos Family Ventures LLC
- Age: 4YO Gelding
- Recent Form: Consistent performer, looking to break through in stakes competition.
2. Dr. Zarnett (USA) – Cowtown Cat x Englaterra
- Trainer: Shane Meyers
- Jockey: Jose A. Bracho
- Owner: Judy Meyers
- Age: 8YO Gelding
- Recent Form: Veteran runner, aiming for a strong finish.
3. Eagle Nest (USA) – Twinspired x Without a Sound
- Trainer: Marco Ibarra
- Jockey: Luis Alberto Batista
- Owner: Authentic Racing LLC
- Age: 5YO Gelding
- Recent Form: Has shown flashes of speed but needs a breakout performance.
4. Counteveryblessing (USA) – Fort Larned x Shari’s Queen B
- Trainer: Ivan Vazquez
- Jockey: Victor R. Fernandez
- Owner: John F. Graver
- Age: 4YO Gelding
- Recent Form: Looking to improve after mid-pack finishes in recent outings.
5. Little Toy Guns (USA) – Awesome Patriot x Formal Plan
- Trainer: Joseph M. Poole
- Jockey: TBD
- Owner: Jennifer Tooley
- Age: 5YO Gelding
- Recent Form: Has been competitive in past stakes races.
6. Lust for Life (USA) – Cowtown Cat x Love Spun
- Trainer: Michael L. Rone
- Jockey: Yan Aviles
- Owner: HMD Racing Stables LLC & Taste of Victory Stables
- Age: 4YO Gelding
- Recent Form: Consistent performer, finishing in the money in recent races.
7. Shadowy (USA) – National Flag x Feeling Ethereal
- Trainer: Timothy E. Hamm
- Jockey: Erik Barbaran
- Owner: Blazing Meadows Farm LLC & Brian Kahn
- Age: 4YO Colt
- Recent Form: Became the first black-type stakes winner for Ohio’s leading second-crop sire.
8. Villian (USA) – National Flag x Callisto
- Trainer: Timothy E. Hamm
- Jockey: Luis Raul Rivera
- Owner: Blazing Meadows Farm LLC & Shane Hamm
- Age: 4YO Gelding
- Recent Form: Looking to improve after mid-pack finishes.
9. Sammy and Shorty (USA) – Mobil x Surviving New York
- Trainer: Michelle Winters
- Jockey: Jason Simpson
- Owner: Michelle Winters
- Age: 5YO Gelding
- Recent Form: Has shown flashes of speed but needs a breakout performance.
10. Reigning Dream (USA) – Dreamliner x Reigning Gal
- Trainer: Richard Zielinski
- Jockey: TBD
- Owner: Jack Cannon
- Age: 4YO Gelding
- Recent Form: Mid-pack finisher, looking for improvement.
11. Red Head Kid (USA) – Cowtown Cat x Compliment Tree
- Trainer: Glenroy Brown
- Jockey: Fernando Salazar Becerra
- Owner: Jack Cannon
- Age: 6YO Gelding
- Recent Form: Experienced competitor, aiming for a strong finish.
12. Golden Flag (USA) – National Flag x Spun From Gold
- Trainer: Timothy E. Hamm
- Jockey: Rocco Bowen
- Owner: Blazing Meadows Farm LLC & Choice One Bloodstock
- Age: 4YO Gelding
- Recent Form: Has been competitive in past stakes races.
13. Excitement (USA) – National Flag x Elated
- Trainer: Timothy E. Hamm
- Jockey: Joe Stokes
- Owner: WinBlaze LLC
- Age: 5YO Gelding
- Recent Form: Homebred runner, looking to make an impact.
14. Mister Mobil (USA) – Mobil x Apple Annie
- Trainer: Ricardo Bailey
- Jockey: T. D. Houghton
- Owner: Lion Palm Racing Stable
- Age: 8YO Gelding
- Recent Form: Veteran runner, aiming for a strong finish.
Race Analysis & Predictions
Top Contenders:
- Shadowy (4/1 odds) – First black-type stakes winner for Ohio’s leading second-crop sire.
- Lust for Life (5/1 odds) – Consistent performer, finishing in the money in recent races.
- Golden Flag (6/1 odds) – Has been competitive in past stakes races.
Dark Horses:
- C V Dynamic (8/1 odds) – Looking to break through in stakes competition.
- Dr. Zarnett (10/1 odds) – Veteran runner, could surprise.
