Thistledown track update for June 22

Saturday racing this week features the Ohio Derby (G3), Thistledown's flagship race.

It's an excellent time to check in at the Ohio track. Thistledown is two months into its meet, with almost four to go. Let's get ready to bet through Ohio Derby weekend and all summer long!

Jockeys

Erik Barbaran leads the jockey standings, with 28 wins in 141 starts (19.9%), three clear of Luis Rivera (25 wins, 145 starts, 17.2%).

Rivera will ride longshot Channel Fury in the Ohio Derby. Barbaran has no Ohio Derby mount but will ride elsewhere on Saturday's card.

Going long, Barbaran (nine wins, 39 starts, 23.1%) leads the pack. However, Yarmarie Correa has six wins from 33 starts (18.2%), with a +68% ROI in two-turn races this meet at Thistledown. An Eclipse Award finalist for top apprentice rider last year, she is still getting away with longshots.

In sprint races, Angel Serpa (20 wins, 79 starts, 25.3%) and Jose Bracho (18 wins, 59 starts, 30.5%) have been especially strong. Bracho also has an exemplary 66% in-the-money rate in one-turn races this meet.

Trainers

Two months into the meet, the race for top trainer is tight. Gary Johnson (21 wins, 102 starts, 20.6%) holds a narrow lead over Jeffrey Radosevich (19 wins, 72 starts, 26.4%).

Though both barns tend to be well bet, you don't have to go far down the trainer standings to identify barns that win at a price.

Jeffrey Skerrett (14 wins, 57 starts, 24.6%) and Valerie Shanyfelt (10 wins, 40 starts, 25%) are fourth and fifth in the standings. Skerrett has a +1% ROI, and Shanyfelt has a +17% ROI (as well as a 70% in-the-money rate).

Not only have Johnson and Shanyfelt won a lot of races, but they should both be watched closely with layoff horses. Johnson has six wins from 15 starts with horses laid off more than 60 days, for a +23% ROI. Shanyfelt has six wins from 21 starts with such horses, for a +70% ROI.

Another angle to watch is trainer Ivan Calderon first off the claim. He has made five starts first off the claim this meet, with two wins, a second, and a third.

At a Glance

For more information about the latest trends at racetracks all over the country, make sure to read the At a Glance reports, only on Brisnet!