Standouts Hartmann and Co Ed Desire lead a star-studded cast of Kentucky-sired standardbreds to the $2.4 million Kentucky Sire Stakes 'Unbridled Evening of Champions' night Sunday, August 31 at the Red Mile.

After a month-long series of preliminaries, the best in the Bluegrass State will line up behind the starting gate in eight $300,000 championship finals, the richest single-night event of its kind in U.S. history.

"From what we've seen on the racetrack the past month from a terrific group of Kentucky-sired horses, the Unbridled Evening of Champions should provide even more excitement," said Kentucky Horse Racing Commission deputy executive director Marc Guilfoil. "It will certainly be a showcase night at the historic Red Mile, one of the sport's most famed racetracks."

Like A Prayer colt Hartmann has been impressive, as he stretched his career undefeated streak to seven. A half brother to the $1.8-million winning champion mare Cameron Hall, Hartmann comes into Sunday's $300,000 final off a career-best 1:55.2 victory Sunday, August 24, as he completed his sweep of his three preliminary KYSS legs at the Red Mile. Trainer Brent Davis has given Jeff Nisonger the driving nod for Sunday.

Co Ed Desire is five-for-five in her young career, as she too swept through her KYSS preliminaries, including a career-best 1:52.1 effort August 11. The Real Desire filly is trained by Fred Grant, and Hall of Fame driver Mike Lachance will drive Co Ed Desire in Sunday's rich final.

Several other stars swept through their trio of KYSS divisions on their way to the Unbridled Evening of Champions, including the three-year-old filly pacer Unique Legacy, the three-year-old filly trotter Body Surfing, and the three-year-old gelding pacer Blue Claw. Also, the two-year-old colt pacer Carnivore was two-for-two in KYSS action.

(With files from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission)