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The 14th Annual Weiner Dog Summer Nationals sponsored by Marjon Kennels Saturday, August 14th will be the 14th Annual Weiner Dog Summer Nationals at River Downs. The races take place following the live races, and check-in begins at 4:30 p.m. You can expect to see the most fun the year has to offer. With names like: Snickerdoodle, Izzy, Hannah Bannana Montana Martinez, Charlie Pepper, and Lucky Leaps Alot. It is bound to be one of the best family events in the area. You may bring your pooch down to enjoy the races, and peruse the vendor booths. There will be ten fields of ten weiner dogs, and the winner of each heat will go on to the finals to take their shot to be " King of the Weiner Dogs." Winners of each heat will receive a great doggie package, and the winner of the finals will be awarded the " King of the Weiner Dogs" trophy sponsored by The Christenson Group from Milford, Ohio. The entire event is put on and sponsored by Marjon Kennels, and Vicky Fairchild works feverishly to ensure that a good time is had by all. We will have about 14 dog related vendors, and Snoopy from Kings Island will be here passing out free tickets while they last ! - There will also be a Basset Hound race before the final Weiner Dog Championship. So, come on down as River Downs will be going to the dogs on August 14th. Leading Ohio Owner-Breeder Corrado Dead At 83 Alfred (Al) Corrado, president of Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners from 1989 through 1990, and who raced several Buckeye champions as well as stakes winners onthe national stage, died Saturday at the Cleveland Clinic. He was 83. Corrado, chairman and chief executive officer of Leading Lady, a Beachwood, Oh. company and a proud graduate of Ohio University and a member of the OU Foundation Board of Trustees, raced 1992 Ohio Horse of the Year Star of the Night. Another of his top Buckeye-breds was two-time champion filly Cut The Cuteness, which he raced in partnership with his son, Mark and who won 12 stakes races. Cut the Cuteness ranks fifth on Ohio's list of money-winning female runners with a bankroll of $411,159. Dynamite Lass was Corrado's graded stakes winner, capturing the 2006 running of the Grade III The Very One Handicap at Gulfstream Park. Corrado bred her, being out of Lismore Lass, another of his stakes winners. Corrado will forever be a part of River Downs racing history. On July 22, 1995 in the $100,000 Queen City Oaks his Cut The Cuteness and his son Mark's 3-year-old filly Double Your Fun pulled 10 lengths away from the field when turning for home. Neither Jason Lumpkins aboard Double Your Fun nor Mike Rowland would be denied the victory and the two fillies matched strides through the entire stretch run hitting the wire together. After a lengthy wait through the photo finish, the rich race was declared a dead-heat. The Father and son duo were both brought into the winner's circle to have their photo - again - taken together. Corrado didn't forget about his horses when their racing days were over. Stakes winner and track record setter at Arlington Park, I'll Raise You One was retired to stud at Woodburn Farm and eventually Fair Winds Farm in Waynesville, Ohio, but his career was short lived. Corrado asked farm owner Kim Williams if he would allow I'll Raise You One to remain at Fair Winds as a pensioner. "Not only did he continue to pay the board bill, he would send that horse a holiday gift package every Christmas," said Williams. "It was usually full of carrots, cookies and candies. And, when Al would head to Florida for the winter, he would stop at the farm and say hello to I'll Raise You One. I have great admiration for Al for taking care of his horse. He was a classy guy." According to Williams, "I'll Raise You One is still going strong. He's 26 and is as sound as a dollar." The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in his name to the Animal Protective League, 1729 Willey Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113 or to Christ Episcopal Church, 3445 Warrensville Center Rd., Shaker Hts., OH 44122, where a Memorial Service will be held, Friday, July 30th at 11 AM. Family interment services will be held in Lake View Cemetery. Sister Kitty Becomes A Mudder Superior
Sister Kitty, the horse, needed a small miracle to get to the races. "She contracted EPM as a young horse and we weren't sure she was going to make it," said McKay. Sent to the barn of Kathy Lowry, his regular trainer at River Downs, Sister Kitty began to train nicely this summer. After a poor debut, Lowry equipped her with blinkers and she showed signs of improvement in her third start where she finished fourth after a wide trip in a 10-horse field. It rained almost three inches at River Downs on Tuesday and Sister Kitty drew the outside post in a 10-horse field. Under apprentice Ben Creed, she stalked the early pacesetter and then exploded around the far turn to draw away from the field by 7 lengths turning for home. Creed gave her a hand ride to the wire and she won the Maiden Special Weight race by 7 ½ lengths. The adventure didn't stop there. Upon returning to the winner's circle she paused and then bucked Creed off of her back onto the sloppy track. "Maybe that her way of cracking me across the knuckles for cracking her on the rump around the turn," laughed Creed in the jock's room after the Sister Kitty, the nun, had a connection to racing through her career. "After she retired from teaching in upstate New York, she was assigned as a caregiver for a woman who lived on Union Avenue around the corner from Saratoga," recalled Engelhardt. "She was always doing favors for people and if she prayed for you - whatever is was you needed got done. She was a huge believer in the power of prayer. She was a bit of a character and was so well known around the track you could go to the clubhouse gate and say 'I'm with Sister Kitty' and you would get in for free. She let an older man park in the back yard for years. His car had Ontario plates and I found out he was E.P. Taylor of Northern Dancer. The name 'Kitty' was her childhood name and she was one of my mother's five sisters." "Sister Kitty always had a few tricks up her habit's sleeve, this filly is out of a state champion, so I hope she's got many more wins up hers," laughed Engelhardt. Jockey Ben Creed hopes he's seen the last of her "tricks." No Garlic Spices Up Hoover Stakes At River Downs
No Garlic is a full brother to Festive Girl, winner of the $55,000 Cincinnatian Stakes at River Downs on June 27. On Saturday, July 3, Cowans captured the $75,000 Cleveland Gold Cup at Thistledown with That's a Heckofacat. "I've got great owners with solid horses that give me time to develop them," stated Cowans while down playing his role in the stable's success. "We've got a great crew of exercise riders and my head groom Jorge Hernandez has been with me for nine years now. Combine all that with some fine rides and good racing luck and these are the results you can get." Dean Sarvis has ridden No Garlic in both of his wins and the horse has never been headed. "I like to put him out there and just let him relax a little after he gets the lead. He doesn't have crazy early speed like some 2-year-olds, he's like an older horse and just measures the competition," said Sarvis of No Garlic. Sent off the favorite in the 5 ½ furlong Hoover Stakes, No Garlic held off Rockwell Tony throughout the entire race, eventually pulling away to win by 3 ¼ lengths. Longshot Ranger Bob had to steady a bit rounding the turn and then rallied for the third spot 3 ¼ lengths behind Rockwell Torrey. The final time for the 5 ½ furlongs was 1:06.80. No Garlic paid $5.00, $3.00 and $3.20. Rockwell Torrey returned $4.80 and $3.40, while Ranger Rob had a show payoff of $6.40. Squeezer's Palace Captures $75,000
Favored Correct Call, who came into the race off of two stakes victories had a late rider change when scheduled rider Justin Shepard was delayed at the airport in Atlanta. Hector Rosario, Jr. filled in for Shepard. "I sat pretty chilly and she made a nice move around the turn and I thought we were going to win it," said Rosario. "In the final eighth the bottom just fell out, it could have been the heat or the distance, I just don't know. The winner was the better filly today." Owned by breeder Gary Aiken and Blazing Meadows Farm, the 3-year-old Squeezer's Palace was recording her first stakes victory. "She was the last horse raised on the legendary Woodburn Farm in Centerville, Ohio which makes it kind of special," Aiken said after the race. "We bred and raised her mother there too." George Smith, who operated Woodburn Farm with his longtime partner Dr. Wilbur Johnston, was on hand for the celebration. While this race has been contested for 31 years, this is the second season it was presented bearing the name of Norm Barron. An outstanding individual with a passion for racing, the Cincinnati native had a wide and lasting influence on the sport and on many levels. Barron, a prominent horseman and racing authority passed away recently at the age of 74. In Norm's spirit of generosity to the sport of racing, his family has decided to establish a annual donation in his name to the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund in the amount of $5,000. On hand Saturday to present the check was his wife Judy Barron, sons Hal and Mike, daughter Esther and grandchildren Joshua, Nathan, Jacob and Sammy. Accepting the check on behalf of the fund will be Gary Birzer who remains paralyzed from the waist down after suffering injuries to his neck and spinal cord in a two-horse spill July 20, 2004 at Mountaineer Park in Chester, West Virginia. Trained by Tim Hamm, Squeezer's Palace toured the 9 furlongs in1:54.60. The Ohio-bred daughter of Ecton Park was sent away at odds of 9 to 1 and returned $19.80, $4.00 and $4.40. Heavily favored Correct Call returned $2.20 and $2.10 and it was 10 lengths back to Adreamfordarlene who had a show payoff of $7.80. Festival Girl Celebrates with Cincinnatian Win
"I'm so confident when Dougie leads one over. He always has them ready for a top effort and that's how I rode her," said Dean Sarvis while heading back to the jockey quarters. "She had been sprinting so I wanted her to relax around two turns and she did just that. She picked it up beautifully around the turn and when we got to the leader I could see she was fanning out a bit into the lane and I opted to take the straight route inside. It probably saved me a length and a half." Festive Girl won by 1-¼ lengths and pushed her career earnings to $55,860 from only 7 starts. Golden Girl Glory, a sharp claim by owner Ronald Williams, Jr. held on for the second spot after setting all the pace and M S Roxie held the third spot. The Cincinnatian was moved off of the turf and contested at 1 1/16 miles on a sealed sloppy track. A 3-year-old daughter of the Ohio stallion Habayeb out of Yellow Springs by Piker, Festive Girl is owned and bred by 91-year-old Ziba Graham, who also raced Yellow Springs. Are better things yet to come for Ziba? On Saturday Cowans unleashed a 2-year-old full brother to Festive Girl named No Garlic (Ziba is not a big fan - and states so whenever she goes out to dinner) who won impressively in his debut and will be pointed toward the Hoover Stakes at River Downs. The festivities may just be starting this summer at the Cowans barn. River Downs Jockey Title A Romp Owner - Trainer Crown a Nail Biter
Things weren't as easy for trainer Joe Woodard and his sole owner Billy Hays. On Friday, trainer Charlie Lawson saddled two winners and tied the Woodard camp for the top spot. On Saturday, Perry Ouzts donned the black and lime-green silks of Billy Hays and rode a four-bagger to secure the title. "I love this track more than any other I've ever ridden at," said Ouzts, who has been riding for 37 years. "I know every inch of this track, I guess the way Calvin Borel does at Churchill Downs." Ouzts has ridden over 5,380 winners during his career and is closing in on Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey to become the 19th leading rider in the sport's history. From 278 starts he compiled a record of 73-65-35 for an impressive 26% win Woodard and Hays partnered up for their third consecutive trainer/owners title at River Downs. They also recently took top honors at Beulah Park. "I trust Joe to put together a good plan of action for all of our horses," said Hays who lives in Louisville. "We race at a lot of tracks in the Midwest, but I really love it here at River Downs. The plant is beautiful and kept clean and the track is safe and always plays fair. This is the first meet we hooked up with Perry Ouzts and it looks like it is paying dividends for all of us." Woodard sent 131 horses to post for Billy, Donna and Justin Hays for a record of 38-24-18 and a solid 29% win figure. Prominent Horseman Norm Barron Dies at 74
What made Barron so valuable to thoroughbred racing is the fact that he has experienced the sport from all sides. He owned and bred horses prior to his appointment in 1983 to the Ohio State Racing Commission. He served on the Commission for twenty years from 1983-1995, during six of those years he served as the Chairman. He was also a part of the O.S.R.C. from 1999 through April of 2007 and served again as Chairman for two years during that period. As testimony to his thorough dedication to racing he attended over Barron's impact on racing was not limited to the State of Ohio. He was a member of the Board of Directors and a past Chairman of the Association of Racing Commissioners International. In addition he served as a Trustee of R.C.I. Integrity Services, a not-for-profit corporation that is a subsidiary of the R.C.I. that provides integrity services to racing commissions and wagering system operators. In 1983 he presided as Chairman and President of the Association of Racing Commissioners. In 2003 he received the prestigious Joan Pew Award, being recognized as the most outstanding Racing Regulator of the year. Barron was the senior Managing Partner in the law firm of Barron, Peck, Bennie & Schlemmer and was a former partner with Brooks, Kelly & Barron. He had extensive experience in administrative law areas and from 1964 through 1970 he was special counsel to then Attorney General of Ohio, William Saxbe. In Ohio, Barron is credited with conceiving the "7 & 7" wagering format and he created the concept of the "Best of Ohio" series of races. This divisional competition in the fall is considered Ohio's version of the Breeders' Cup. Barron has recently returned to racing as an owner and is the Managing Member of Best of Ohio Stables, LLC. Barron passed away at his home surrounded by his family. His wife Judy, sons Michael and Hal and daughter Esther survive him. Services will be at Weil Funeral Home, 8350 Cornell Road Monday, June 7. For time of service you may call the funeral home 469-9347. Fresh runners provide exciting race Belmont 142 is in the books. There was not any Triple Crown hoopla this year, but the action was astounding. If you were on hand, you got to see 12 fresh and ready runners. Even though the Derby and Preakness runners were not in the field, you saw an incredible race ! Typically, the race is not made for the far back closing types. The past quarter of a century has shown us that three-year-olds that lay close to the pace, or stalk just off the top runners do extremely well. The " Silky Sullivan " types do not do well as the tests of champions is generally run at a slower pace. First Dude who is named for Todd Palin jumped right to the front, and had a hammer lock on the leaders. He looked very tough as the field hit the half way mark. The running started picking up as Mike Smith began moving on eventual winner Drosselmeyer. His move was well-timed, and as he went past the leaders and he started to gain strength. It looked as if he was going to draw off with out a fight, as Game Dude and few others were not giving much of a tussel. It was Fly Down who would make the last move at the leader about the 1/8th pole in quick fashion. He made long strides in getting to the leader, but it was not to be his day as Drosselmeyer would march into the history books. The win for Drosselemeyer gave trainer Bill Mott his first ever Triple Crown race, and rider Mike Smith gave us one more reason to admire his talents in the saddle. Drosselmeyer is owned by powerhouse stable Win Star Farm LLC, and notched another victory in their vast resume. Overall, the race provided more action than anticipated, and the under-card was incredible. River Downs had a packed crowd that was treated to the sweet taste of BBQ from Rib City, and the smooth sounds of Blues-man Sonny Mooreman during the Blues-Brews, and BBQ festival. The live racing produced some exciting photo-finishes, and the action was non-stop. Be sure to keep up to speed with what is happening at the "Downs," and make plans to be on hand for our next exciting event. Live racing is conducted Friday through Tuesday with a first post of 12:55 p.m. With free parking, free admission, and the ever popular "Bud Select Friday's" from 2 p.m. until 8p.m.The fun never stops, as it is 5 o'clock somewhere at River Downs. And while you are there, be sure to play the popular " Bud-Select-the Pony" contest. It is FREE, and it takes place from 3p.m. - 6p.m. every Friday courtesy of our friends at Bud-Select. For more information or photos contact John C. Engelhardt Director of Public Relations: 513-354-8243 or johne@riverdowns.com 
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Do you believe in miracles? Sister Kitty, a 3-year-old filly named after a Catholic Nun overcame the odds and found her way to the winner's circle - without her jockey. Owner-breeder Ron McKay named the dark bay daughter after Sister Elaine Marie Breslin, an educator and caregiver who served the church into her 80's. "She's the aunt of John Engelhardt, a friend of mine and the PR Director of River Downs," stated McKay. "John always told me how she was sort of a miracle worker and my stable can always use all the help it can get. I had a mare named Sister Milly - so it all seemed to fit."
Trainer William "Doug" Cowans is on a roll and he has No Garlic on
it too. The 35-year-old River Downs-based Cowans has won three stakes races
in three weeks. No Garlic a 2-year-old colt, owned and bred by 95-year-old
Ziba Graham, went wire to wire to take the $50,000 Hoover Stakes at River
Downs on Saturday for his second consecutive win.
In a last-to-first running style, Squeezer's Palace collared heavily
favored Correct Call and drew away to a 3-¼-length victory in the Norm
Barron Queen City Oaks on Saturday at River Downs. "I could see there was a
lot of speed in the race and decided to just let them go," said 40-year-old
jockey Jason Lumpkins. "None of the fillies had been a mile and an eighth
and I knew (trainer) Tim Hamm would have her ready. We collared the favorite
in the stretch and she just pulled away."
She's Ohio-bred top and bottom, her dam was a stakes winner that competed at River Downs and now Festive Girl is. The jockey - trainer combination that has the highest win percentage at the track, put together another "team effort" to get the victory in the Cincinnatian Stakes at River Downs on Sunday, June 27. Trainer Doug Cowans has carefully spaced the career starts of Festive Girl and jockey Dean Sarvis elected to go inside of the pacesetter that was slowly fanning wide while entering the stretch.
Perry Ouzts won his 23rd riding title at River Downs at the conclusion of the Turf Club meet on Saturday, July 26. He probably could have gone on vacation June 26th and still have won the title as he led the standings by 29 wins.
Norm Barron, a prominent horseman and racing authority has passed away at the age of 74. An outstanding individual with a passion for racing, the Cincinnati native had a wide and lasting influence on the sport and on many levels. Barron was a graduate of Walnut Hills High School, the University of Cincinnati College of Business Administration and the University of Cincinnati College of Law. He is scheduled to be honored by the University of Cincinnati Law Alumni Association in downtown Cincinnati this Friday.