Race Details
Date: August 14, 2025
Post Time: 2:50 PM ET
Distance: 1¼ miles
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $100,000 (Winner: $63,000)
The Governor’s Buckeye Cup is the crown jewel of the Best of Ohio series, drawing a full field of 12 seasoned Ohio-bred runners. With multiple stakes winners, rising 3-year-olds, and proven routers, this race promises a tactical and stamina-driven showdown.
Full Field Breakdown: Horses, Jockeys, Trainers & Pedigrees
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Sire × Dam (Dam Sire) | Age | Forecast Odds |
| 1 | Blue Nomore | Sophie Doyle | Jennifer Tooley | Air Force Blue × Missap (A.P. Warrior) | 4 | 30/1 |
| 2 | Fair and Square | Rocco Bowen | Timothy Hamm | Super Saver × Marathon (Drosselmeyer) | 5 | 7/2 Fav |
| 3 | Villian | Luis Raul Rivera | Timothy Hamm | National Flag × Callisto (Malibu Moon) | 4 | 9/2 |
| 4 | I Wanna Win | T.D. Houghton | James Jackson | I Want Revenge × Harlan Cat (Harlan) | 9 | 6/1 |
| 5 | Full Spectrum | Luis Gonzalez | James Jackson | Cross Traffic × Street Success (Street Cry) | 3 | 10/1 |
| 6 | Private Moment | Alexander Chavez | Mary Hurley | General a Rod × Sister Desiree (Vision and Verse) | 4 | 20/1 |
| 7 | General Mathis | Ricardo Feliciano | Shane Meyers | Run Away and Hide × Dynatap (Tapit) | 8 | 12/1 |
| 8 | Tantrum | Angel Diaz | Timothy Hamm | Speightster × Go Go Tammy (Tiznow) | 6 | 12/1 |
| 9 | Silence | Yan Aviles | Jeffrey Skerrett | Exaggerator × Leah’s Secret (Tiger Ridge) | 6 | 5/1 |
| 10 | Swing State | Ricardo Mejias | Ricardo Gonzalez | Super Saver × South Bay Cove (Fusaichi Pegasus) | 5 | 30/1 |
| 11 | Ekati’s Way | Jose Bracho | Robert Cline | Tale of Ekati × Sharon’s Way (Proud Citizen) | 4 | 15/1 |
| 12 | Superwolf | Erik Barbaran | Robert Gorham | Instagrand × Sunshineandsilence (Speightstown) | 3 | 4/1 |
Top Contenders to Watch
Fair and Square – Super Saver × Marathon
Trainer: Timothy Hamm
Jockey: Rocco Bowen
Form: Stakes-placed; consistent speed figures over a mile
Pedigree Insight: Super Saver adds stamina; dam by Drosselmeyer enhances routing potential
Superwolf – Instagrand × Sunshineandsilence
Trainer: Robert Gorham
Jockey: Erik Barbaran
Form: Three wins in last four starts; rising 3YO star
Pedigree Insight: First stakes winner for Instagrand; dam adds sprinting class
Villian – National Flag × Callisto
Trainer: Timothy Hamm
Jockey: Luis Raul Rivera
Form: Two straight wins including over Silence
Pedigree Insight: National Flag progeny showing speed and versatility
Race Analysis
Pace Scenario: Expect early pressure from Full Spectrum, Villian, and Tantrum. Fair and Square and Silence may stalk and pounce late.
Trainer Spotlight: Timothy Hamm sends out three contenders (Fair and Square, Villian, Tantrum), all with stakes experience and pedigree depth.
Pedigree Play: Super Saver, Instagrand, and National Flag progeny are trending in Ohio-bred route stakes.
Top Pick: Fair and Square – proven class, stamina pedigree, and tactical speed
Value Play: Superwolf – rising 3YO with upside and strong closing kick
Longshot to Watch: General Mathis – veteran router with gritty form
Exacta Box: Fair and Square / Superwolf / Villian
Trifecta Play: Fair and Square over Silence and Full Spectrum
