Todd McCarthy zipped Captain Kenny J through an inside seam off a pocket ride to land the winning blow on tempo-setter Command Center and pull off a 14-1 upset in the $111,111 Kentucky Championship Series fourth preliminary for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at The Red Mile.

Leaving from post two, Todd McCarthy nestle Captain Kenny J into a seat behind Command Center (Dexter Dunn) approaching a :28 first quarter and tracked the leader intently heading to a :55.4 half. Command Center cruised through the last turn under minimal pressure to clock three-quarters in 1:24.1 and quickened for home while drifting from the pylons, giving Captain Kenny J clear sailing. Todd McCarthy capitalized on the gap and Captain Kenny J clawed forward through the lane to collar Command Center by a head at the end of a 1:51.4 mile, just three-fifths of a second off the divisional track record. Odds-on favourite Presidente (Scott Zeron) gave chase for third from a mild first-over push through the last turn.

Linda Toscano trains Captain Kenny J, a colt by Captain Corey out of Tuvalu, for owner Kenneth Jacobs of Baldwinsville, New York. A $194,444 purchase from the 2025 Lexington Yearling Sale, Captain Kenny J collected his second win from six starts and has now has a six-figure bankroll. 

He paid $30.34 to win as the third choice on the tote board.

Kountry Win persisted towards the front to clinch the single $41,667 Kentucky Commonwealth division for freshman trotting males. Yannick Gingras sent the Ron Burke pupil towards the lead in a :28.1 first quarter, succumbed to a shuffle into third to a :56 half and marched uncovered after new leader End Result (Dexter Dunn) to three-quarters in 1:25.1 before successfully downing that rival by a neck at the end of a 1:54.2 mile. 

The winning colt, by King Of The North out of Winndevie, races for owners Brad Grant of Milton, Ont., Robert Leblanc of New York City, New York, and Robbie Pryde of North York, Ont. 

He paid $8.04  as the 3-1 favourite in his second Commonwealth win.

Trainer Marcus Melander doubled in the three $20,833 divisions of the Kentucky Golden Rod Series on the undercard, winning with Opposition (1:54) and Gagosian (1:55.2), both driven by Dexter Dunn. Senor Julio (1:54.1) took the other division for trainer Jeff Smith with Tyler Smith in the sulky.

The two $13,888 Wildcat divisions were won by Robuchon (1:55.3), with Todd McCarthy handling the Carter Pinske trainee, and Mackinac Isle (1:57), with Marvin Luna aboard for the Tony Alagna stable.

Live harness racing at The Red Mile resumes on Sunday, Sept. 6 with a 12-race card headlined by the Kentucky Championship Series fourth preliminary for two-year-old pacing fillies. First-race post time is 5:05 p.m. 

(With files from The Red Mile)