The opening round of Kentucky Sire Stakes for two-year-olds got underway on Sunday, August 11 at the Red Mile. Only the freshman trotting colts were divided into a pair of $15,000 divisions, while the pacing colts, pacing fillies and trotting fillies each went postward in a single $30,000 division, respectively.

Race 3 kicked things off with the first of the two KYSS divisions for juvenile male trotters. Kabu, driven by Brad Hanners, had an easy go of it as he romped to an 11-length win over Chiarello in 2:02.2. Shanas Lucky Star was third.

A gelded son of Valley Victor, Kabu is trained by Henry Lunsford and owned by Michael Bishop, Judy Lunsford and breeder Philip Rietveld. The win was Kabu's first after having recorded three second-place finishes in his first three career starts.

The second division, carded as Race 5, was much closer, as Scacco Matto and driver Jeff Nisonger came out a neck winner over Samburu in 1:59.2. Sorrento Hall was third.

Ken Oscarsson trains Scacco Matto, a son of Master Glide, for owners James Wilhite Jr. and breeder Atlantic Trot Inc. The win was his first in four starts.

On Golden Ponder won the lone KYSS division for freshman pacing colts in 1:55 for driver Mike Lachance. Up N At It was three-quarters of a length back in second, with Last Best Chance third. Bob McIntosh trains the winning son of Ponder, who was bred by Robert McIntosh Stables and CSX Stables, both of which share ownership with Michael Kohler. The win was his second in three starts.

Petticoat Affair was sent off the 2-5 favourite in the KYSS contest for trotting fillies and she lived up to her billing, as she coasted to a four and a quarter-length win over KJ Brenda in 1:58.3. Twice Too Nice was third.

Hanners drove the winning daughter of Valley Victor for trainer Bobby Brower, who shares ownership with Mystical Marker Farms. The win was her second in four starts.

Somethinincredible, the overwhelming 1-9 favourite in the race for juvenile pacing fillies, romped to an eight and a quarter-length win in 1:56.1 for driver Lachance. Sorority Girl was second, with Salsa Star third.

A daugher of Ponder, Somethinincredible is trained by Bob McIntosh and owned by breeders Robert McIntosh Stables and CSX Stables in partnership with Dave Boyle. The win was her second in four starts.

(Harnessracing.com)