The $100,000 Tom Ridge Stakes will be contested on Monday, June 30, 2025, as Race 7 at Presque Isle Downs, featuring a field of seven 3-year-olds sprinting six furlongs on the all-weather Tapeta track. This ungraded stakes has historically served as a launching pad for synthetic sprint specialists and turf-to-synthetic converts.
Full Field & Post Positions
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Sire – Dam (Dam Sire) | M/L Odds |
| 1 | Good Directions | Israel Rodriguez | Kevin Rice | Liam’s Map – Miss Sammy (Tale of Ekati) | 12/1 |
| 2 | Ballad of Warrior | Pablo Morales | Brandon Kulp | Warrior’s Reward – Song Memory (Unbridled’s Song) | 6/1 |
| 3 | Mensa | Jaime A. Torres | Riley Mott | Complexity – Lady Halite (Medaglia d’Oro) | 8/1 |
| 4 | Big Vince | Walter Rodriguez | Larry Rivelli | Caravaggio – Little Jude (Distorted Humor) | 3/1 |
| 5 | Faster Gator | Arnaldo Bocachica | Anthony Farrior | Vekoma – Comforter (Nobiz Like Shobiz) | 7/2 |
| 6 | Makeit to Cheyenne | Antonio Gallardo | Joseph Orseno | Liam’s Map – Speight’s Comete (Speightstown) | 4/1 |
| 7 | Golden Afternoon | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Nicholas Vaccarezza | Goldencents – Afternoon (Street Cry) | 5/2 (Fav) |
Pedigree & Performance Analysis
Golden Afternoon (Goldencents – Afternoon)
Trainer: Nicholas Vaccarezza Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Form: 7 starts: 2 wins, 2 seconds Earnings: $54,513
Pedigree Notes: By Goldencents, a proven synthetic and sprint sire; dam adds stamina and turf class.
Big Vince (Caravaggio – Little Jude)
Trainer: Larry Rivelli Jockey: Walter Rodriguez
Form: 4 starts: 2 wins, 1 third Earnings: $50,585
Pedigree Notes: Caravaggio is a top turf sprinter; dam adds dirt versatility.
Faster Gator (Vekoma – Comforter)
Trainer: Anthony Farrior Jockey: Arnaldo Bocachica
Form: 4 starts: 2 wins, 1 second Earnings: $35,154
Pedigree Notes: Vekoma is a rising sire of speed; dam adds turf and synthetic influence.
Makeit to Cheyenne (Liam’s Map – Speight’s Comete)
Trainer: Joseph Orseno Jockey: Antonio Gallardo
Form: 4 starts: 2 wins Earnings: $35,461
Pedigree Notes: Liam’s Map over Speightstown suggests synthetic sprint potential.
Ballad of Warrior (Warrior’s Reward – Song Memory)
Trainer: Brandon Kulp Jockey: Pablo Morales
Form: 11 starts: 3 wins, 4 seconds Earnings: $22,347
Pedigree Notes: Warrior’s Reward is a proven source of stamina and grit.
Mensa (Complexity – Lady Halite)
Trainer: Riley Mott Jockey: Jaime Torres
Form: 5 starts: 2 wins Earnings: $36,163
Pedigree Notes: Complexity is a first-crop sire by Maclean’s Music; dam adds class.
Good Directions (Liam’s Map – Miss Sammy)
Trainer: Kevin Rice Jockey: Israel Rodriguez
Form: 5 starts: 2 wins Earnings: $16,993
Pedigree Notes: Liam’s Map over Tale of Ekati suggests late-developing speed.
Tactical Race Analysis
Pace Scenario: Expect Faster Gator, Big Vince, and Golden Afternoon to vie for the early lead. Makeit to Cheyenne and Ballad of Warrior may stalk, while Mensa and Good Directions could close late.
Track Profile: Presque Isle’s Tapeta surface favors tactical speed and outside draws in sprints.
Key Factors: Break from the gate, synthetic surface adaptability, and ability to finish strongly in the final furlong.
Betting Strategy & Prediction
Top Pick: Golden Afternoon – class drop, top jockey, and synthetic pedigree
Value Play: Big Vince – improving form and strong early speed
Exotics Threat: Makeit to Cheyenne – versatile and bred for this surface
