Mets Hall trotted into a hot pace to take the top, and maintained and expanded his lead while going on to post a 1:52.4 open-length win in the fourth of five divisions of the Trixton International Stallion Stakes (ISS), sponsored by Deo Volente Farms, on Thursday, October 5 at the Red Mile.

Sitting second as Farsetti Hanover sprinted to the quarter in :26.4, Mets Hall took the front while moving into the backstretch. He clicked off the opening half in :54.4 and held control at the three-quarters in 1:24.1. He then went on to kick away from the pocket-sitting Farsetti Hanover into the stretch. Dawson Springs, who rode cover around the turn, closed for third.

Owned by Stroy Inc. and Andy Miller Stable Inc., Mets Hall, by Cantab Hall and out of the Mutineer mare Mets Inn, won his fifth race in eight starts this season. He has now compiled $127,135 in earnings. The $2.80 winner is conditioned by Julie Miller and was driven by Andy Miller.

Mets Hall, pictured victorious during International Stallion Stakes action at the Red Mile (Nigel Soult)

Following a disqualification, Night Rhythm was placed first in the opening division of the ISS. He took over the top spot from Shoshie Deo, who interfered with the 6-5 post time choice, the favoured Wolfgang, down the backstretch, which caused him to lose stride.

Night Rhythm launched for the top and grabbed the lead before trotting a quarter in :28.1 while Shoshie Deo trotted in second. Into the backstretch, Seven Iron tipped first over and advanced toward the leader while Wolfgang rode his cover briefly, and cleared the top before a :57 half.

Patent Leather rushed first over after the half and took the lead from Seven Iron while moving into the turn. Shoshie Deo, who was shuffled to third, tipped wide while moving to the three-quarters, pressured the pacesetting Patent Leather in 1:26.1 before powering to the lead in the stretch. Night Rhythm, who was shuffled to fourth, fanned off the rail and trotted down the centre of the track while Patent Leather faded at the inside in third. Shoshie Deo held a one-length advantage on Night Rhythm at the line, while Patent Leather was third and Seven Iron was fourth.

With Shoshie Deo disqualified to sixth, Night Rhythm, by Muscle Hill and out of the Andover Hall mare Tail Of Night, won his second race in what was his sixth start. He has now earned $77,552 for owners Lindy Farms of Connecticut and Robert Rudolph. Trained by Frank Antonacci and driven by Scott Zeron, Night Rhythm paid $26.80 to win.

Night Rhythm, pictured victorious during International Stallion Stakes action at the Red Mile (Nigel Soult)

Fourth Dimension brushed to the front and coasted to a lifetime-best 1:52.4 win in the second ISS division.

After having sat third while Hat Trick Habit posted a :28.3 opening quarter, Brian Sears then tipped Fourth Dimension wide and rushed to take control before three-eighths. Leading unchallenged through a :57 half and three-quarters in 1:25.2, Fourth Dimension turned for home clear of Hat Trick Habit, who was chasing from second. Crystal Fashion, who rallied off cover down the centre of the track, grabbed second. Hat Trick Habit settled for third.

By Chapter Seven and out of the Muscle Hill mare Corazon Blue Chip, Fourth Dimension, who is owned by Courant Inc., won his fifth race in what was his seventh start. He has now earned $129,700. Trained by Marcus Melander, Fourth Dimension paid $5.40 to win.

Fourth Dimension, pictured victorious during International Stallion Stakes action at the Red Mile (Nigel Soult)

Quality Kemp sat the pocket and slingshotted past the 3-2 post time favourite and tempo-setter, Keystone Apache, to win the third ISS split in 1:54.3.

Matt Kakaley sent Quality Kemp for the lead, and Quality Kemp trotted a quarter in :28.3 before yielding to Keystone Apache after the :57.1 half. Sitting as Keystone Apache trotted to three-quarters in 1:25.4, Quality Kemp remained at the rail until pulling wide into the eighth pole, where he trotted one-and-three-quarter lengths clear of My Lindy Winner, who rallied down the centre of the track into second. Keystone Apache shortened in stride and held on for third.

Returning $26.60 to win, Quality Kemp, by Muscle Hill and from the Credit Winner mare Impressive Kemp, broke his maiden in what was the tenth start of his career. The Ron Burke trainee has earned $67,962 this season for owners Burke Racing Stable, Silva, Purnell and Libby, Weaver Bruscemi, and Michelle Yanek.

Quality Kemp, pictured victorious during International Stallion Stakes action at the Red Mile (Nigel Soult)

Scoring his fifth consecutive win and besting Peter Haughton-winner You Know You Do, Fashionwoodchopper won the final ISS division in 1:53.

Cant Afford It took the early lead, as he trotted a quarter in :28.3 before Fashionwoodchopper moved from the pocket to take the lead heading to the half. Timed in :56.1, Fashionwoodchopper was unpressured moving into the far turn, while You Know You Do, who was trotting in fifth, began a first-over move towards the leader.

You Know You Do trotted up to Fashionwoodchopper’s wheel at three-quarters in 1:25.1, but stalled into the stretch. Fashionwoodchopper held a narrow lead through the stretch, with Cant Afford It attempting to shake out of the pocket and Samo Different Day swooping into contention in the final strides. Fashionwoodchopper held a half-length lead at the line, with Samo Different Day second and Cant Afford It third.

Winning his fifth race in eight starts this season, Fashionwoodchopper, by Donato Hanover and from the Muscles Yankee mare Woodshopper, has earned $234,818 for owner Fashion Farms LLC. Trained by Jim Campbell and driven by David Miller, Fashionwoodchopper paid $4.80 to win.

Fashionwoodchopper, pictured victorious during International Stallion Stakes action at the Red Mile (Nigel Soult)

Grand Circuit racing will continue at the Red Mile on Friday, October 6 with five divisions of the Muscle Hill ISS Two-Year-Old Filly Trot, sponsored by Southwind Farms. The nine-race program will also feature a $7,642.48 Pick-4 carryover, which will start with the sixth race on the card. First-race post is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. EDT.

(Red Mile)