Crown the Buckeye

Crown the Buckeye began his career as a 2-year-old in a $75,000 stakes race at Belterra Park on July 18, 2025, and finished second. He was right back in a stakes race for his second start in the $100,000 Cleveland Kindergarten Stakes going six furlongs at Thistledown on Aug. 14, and Crown the Buckeye's 12 1/4-length victory in that race qualified as his maiden win.

Crown the Buckeye stretched out to 1 1/16 miles for his third lifetime race and won again in the $100,000 Best of Ohio Juvenile Stakes at Mahoning Valley on Oct. 25. His 4 1/4-length Best of Ohio win at a route distance was enough to convince his connections to try him in open company in his subsequent race. He shipped to Fair Grounds to run in the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes going 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 20 and finished third when beaten less than a length. The Gun Runner was a points race on the Road to the 2025 Kentucky Derby, and with his show finish, Crown the Buckeye earned three qualifying points.

Crown the Buckeye is trained by Mike Maker. He was bred in Ohio by the sire Yaupon out of the dam Feisty Tomboy by Unbridled's Song.