The Kentucky Sires Stakes (KYSS) for freshman trotting colts and fillies was spread over six races, three divisions of both fillies and colts, were raced on Saturday, August 26 at The Red Mile.
The first colt division was loaded with talent and included all three returning winners, though Haveitalltogether was eventually withdrawn due to sickness.
Wolfgang, sent the odds-on favourite, moved to the front after Hat Trick Habit had led through the :29.4 opening quarter. Those two gained separation from the field into the stretch, where Dave Palone tipped Hat Trick Habit out and edged past Wolfgang to a 1:55.1 victory. B Threeseven was third and Tactical Landing fourth, though he was later DQ’d to fifth for a stretch break.
Hat Trick Habit now has a win and a second in the stakes series and is trained in the Frank Antonacci barn for owner Fred Monteleone Stable. He was a $65,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale (LSYS) purchase.
Dawson Springs was a winner for driver Joe Bongiorno in division two, breaking his maiden in 1:57.4. Leaving from post three, Bongiorno settled Dawson Springs in fourth early as favoured Storming Mist set moderate fractions, followed Garnet’s cover and sailed by them all in the stretch for the win. Eurobond rallied from the back to be second and Garnet stuck around for third.
The winner is trained by Tony Alagna for his interests as Alagna Racing, breeder Brittany Farms and Robert LeBlanc. He was a $90,000 LSYS purchase last fall.
The third and last colt division went to Cordoba Hall in 1:56.4. Driver Ken Holliday put the colt on the front, spread the field out with a :56.4 half, then coasted home by two over pocket-sitter Raileegotaholdonme. American Moni recovered after a break to be third.
The winner is a Cash Hall half-brother to Cantab Hall who went through the Ohio Select Sale for $50,000 and is trained by Sherri Holliday for owners Black Magic Racing and Brian Carsey.
Nixie Volo won for Mike Simons in 1:56.2 in the first filly division. Simons settled her early then moved the Yankee Glide filly toward early-leader Foxy Fantasy approaching the half and survived a photo over Deschanel's furious late wide rally late to get the win. Foxy Fantasy held on for third.
Nixie Volo won for trainer John Butenschoen with a pair of KYSS wins for owners Kentuckiana Racing Stable, VIP Internet Stable and 83 Racing who gave $22,000 at the LSYS last fall.
Top Expectations won at 1-5 after disappointing at 3-5 last week. It was the first win in six tries for the Cantab Hall sister to My MVP who took a 1:57.3 record for trainer Erv Miller and owner Daniel Plouffe who secured her with a bid of $120,000 last fall at the Lexington sale. She was piloted by Marcus MIller.
Passionate Miss followed up her win at 100-1 last week with another solid effort to be second and Aprefectruby was third.
Lily Stride completed the KYSS filly splits, winning in 1:55.2 for driver Jeff Gregory. The Muscle Hill lass skipped the first leg for trainer Mark Harder and hadn’t raced in three weeks, but won easily on the front in a lifetime best. Sarabi AS made late gains to get up for the place and Special Hill third.
Emilio and Maria Rosati own the winner who is also a Lexington Select graduate at a price of $220,000.
(The Red Mile)