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The closing day for live racing in 2009 at River Downs in Cincinnati takes place on Monday. The $200,000 Bud Select Cradle Stakes is the track's marquee race and this season it has attracted a unique European flavor.

Three years ago the 1 1/16 mile race for 2-year-old was switched from the main track to the turf course, a move that is attracting young grass runners. Strike the Tiger, the probable favorite, brings not only a record of two grass victories into the race, but also a piece of racing history. In early June his trainer Wesley Ward worked him out over the River Downs turf course before shipping him to England to compete in the prestigious Royal Ascot meet. Strike the Tiger faced 21 other rivals and lasted by a neck to win the Windsor Castle Stakes, thus becoming the first American horse ever to win at Royal Ascot.

Since that start he returned to the U.S. and claimed the grassy Penny Chenery Stakes at Colonial Downs over nine starters. Strike the Tiger has been stabled at River Downs for several days now and was familiarized with his surroundings with a visit to the paddock between races on Saturday. Aerial Smith, who won aboard the gelding at Colonial Downs, will come in to ride Monday.

Todd Pletcher trained Fantastico Roberto was bred in Ireland and won his first two races on turf courses in Italy. He shipped to the U.S. and competed in the Spectacular Bid Stakes at Arlington Park and after breaking slowly he rallied to run fourth. Jockey Chris DeCarlo will come in to ride Fantastico Roberto.

Mike Maker trained the winner of last year's Cradle and is hoping for a repeat with Scottkeith'skitten. From the first crop of grass champion Kitten's Joy, Scottkeith'skitten won a 1 1/6 mile turf race at Saratoga on August 6. Orlando Mojica is scheduled to ride the chestnut colt. A field of ten is set to go to post in the Labor Day headliner.

The Bud Select Cradle is the 9th of 11 live races that will take place at River Downs on Monday with a starting post time of 1:20 p.m. The track will offer free general parking and admission along with free pony rides. The public is being urged to come early, as there may be traffic delays due to the appearance of President Obama at Coney Island in the afternoon.