Best of Ohio Series - Belterra Park / Friday

The Best of Ohio series takes place Friday with nine live races, five $100,000 stakes, and more fun than the law allows. First post is 12:35pm and I have the honor of getting to call the races for the big event! Without further delay, here are some runners that you will want to take a look at before heading to the windows.

Race #2 - Alw $21,300 N2L - 6f - 1:05pm

#5 - Blue Tail Fly (5-1) = 2nd start of the 2026 season for the Doug Cowans bar, with Dylan Machado in the saddle. 2nd time Lasix, and Machado is winning 27% for the meet and 20% teaming up with Cowans. The last race was an even effort and is eligible to rebound and give a much better showing. Daughter of Vekoma should show good early foot and the trainer wins 29% 2nd time off the shelf.

Race #3 - Alw $23,200 - 6 1/2f - 1:35 pm

#5 Parlay (8-1) = Rocco Bowen aboard for Tim Hamm and they are winning 23% as a team. Been off for 5 months and sports a bullet work in Cleveland. She is 2/3 ITM at BTP and has done well in the past in Cincinnati stakes. I'm not sure why 8-1, but I love the price and connections to lay off the pace and pounce.

Race #4 - The Babst / Palacios Memorial - 6f - 2:05 pm

#2 - Empires Fire (7-2) = 4/4 ITM and been off 6 months. Son of Empires Way enjoys the Belterra surface and should get a good stalking trip to set him up.

Race #5 - Alw $15,500 - 1 mile on the turf - 2:35pm

#6 - Boitano (5-1) = Son of Nyquist for the Jose Camejo barn with Santiago Gonzalez in the saddle. Versatile sort who would love the turf or main track. Gonzalez has been on fire winning 32% and is 12/12 ITM on the greensward. Look for a close up stalking trip.

Race #6 - Diana Stakes - 6f - 3:05pm

#6 - Silver Kiss (7-2) = Speedster from the David Wolochuk barn with Victor Fernandez aboard. 7/7 ITM lifetime and won the $75k Tah Dah, $100k Miss Ohio, and $100k Galbraith stakes. Fernandez is winning at a 21% clip on the year, and the barn is on fire winning 23% on the year. Speedy filly who will be tough to deal with if left alone when they turn for home.

Race #7 - The Green Carpet - 1 1/16 on the turf - 3:35pm

#7 - Mark My Words (Even) = Son of Thousand Words looking to make it 4 straight for trainer Robert Gorham with Erik Barbaran in the saddle. Winner of the Tall Stacks at Belterra on 5/8 and prior to that sported a blazing morning drill. His dam Helluva Notion has 4 starters with 4 winners to her credit. Look for an up-close effort as he tries to steal this race on the far turn.

Race #8 - Queen City Oaks - 1 1/16 - 4:05pm

#5 - Jasper Maximus (5-1) = She sports a quick turn of foot going a perfect 2/2 for the Tim Hamm barn with Rocco Bowen in the irons. Stretching out to two turns should have Bowen on the front as he moves up in class to test his mettle.

Race #9 - The Gendelman Stakes - 1 1/16 on the turf - 4:35pm

#4 - Who Dey (5-1) = Hails from the Thom Drury barn with Irving Moncada aboard. Son of Liam's Map is a stout closer as he makes his second start of the year. He is also cross entered at Churchill Downs on Saturday in the Blame Stakes.