After having been sent postward as the 6-5 second choice on Thursday (Oct. 4) at the Red Mile, Cantab Fashion got the jump on 3-5 favourite Green Manlishi S and outsprinted his competition to win the third of three divisions of the $275,600 Trixton International Stallion Stakes, sponsored by the Trixton Syndicate, in 1:51.4 to collect his fifth consecutive victory.
Cantab Fashion, pictured victorious during International Stallion Stakes action at the Red Mile
The Jim Campbell-trained Cantab Hall colt trotted into third while Battenberg swooped to the lead ahead of Union Forces getting the pocket. By the first quarter in :28.1, Cantab Fashion tipped off the rail and rushed to the front before accelerating the tempo to a :55.2 half.
Green Manalishi S moved first over heading into the final turn and marched towards the leader’s wheel heading to three quarters. Past that marker in 1:24, Green Manalishi S continued to dig into Cantab Fashion in the stretch before the eventual winner entered another gear and edged to a length and a half victory at the wire. Union Forces held third from Battenberg fourth.
Surpassing $100,000 in career earnings, Cantab Fashion competes for owner-breeder Fashion Farms LLC. David Miller drove the $4.60 winner.
Kings County, pictured victorious during International Stallion Stakes action at the Red Mile
Having pulled the pocket past the quarter, the Domenico Cecere-trained Muscle Hill colt Kings County trotted fast fractions in progress to a 1:52.3 victory in the first division of the ISS.
Hudson River took the lead towards the inside with Kings County tucking into second and Trix And Stones third. Following a :27.4 opening quarter, driver David Miller angled Kings County off the cones and circled to the lead in the backstretch. Gaining separation and speeding clear, Kings County led Hudson River through a :55.2 half.
Slowing the tempo to three quarters, Kings County still held control as Hudson River gradually reeled in the leader and readied to pull off the rail passing three quarters, timed in 1:24. Kings County turned into the stretch and remained extended to the line as Trix And Stones rallied three wide to take second ahead of Chin Chin Hall, off a rail trip, closing through the centre for third.
Kings County, competing for Lindy Farms of Connecticut, won his fourth race from nine starts, which propelled his bankroll to $142,782. Sent off as the 3-2 favourite, he paid $5.00 to win.
Super Schissel, pictured victorious during International Stallion Stakes action at the Red Mile
Super Schissel, bred by Coyote Wynd Farms of Vancouver, BC, circled to the lead past the quarter and held command under a tight hold from driver Yannick Gingras to win the second ISS division in 1:54.3.
The Jimmy Takter-trained Uncle Peter colt moved for the lead through a :28.2 opening quarter and pocketed early pacesetter Brady Bunch heading into the backstretch. Odds-on favourite Demon Onthe Hill, racing fifth, pulled first over passing the half in :56.4 before flushing cover from Sheenas Boy heading into the final turn.
Passing three quarters in 1:26.4, Sheenas Boy went on a gallop and interfered with second-over Demon Onthe Hill turning into the stretch and left Super Schissel with an uncontested lead. Brady Bunch edged off the rail and gave pursuit along with Lindys Crazy Hall towards the pylons and Demon Onthe Hill recouping ground towards the centre. Super Schissel finished about a half length ahead of Brady Bunch cutting into his margin at the wire while Demon Onthe Hill edged Lindys Crazy Hall in the photo for third.
Owned by Al Libfeld and Perry Soderberg, Super Schissel won his third race in what was his eighth start. The Jimmy Takter trainee, who has now collected $107,500 in earnings, returned $13.00 to win.
Grand Circuit action will continue at the Red Mile on Friday (Oct. 5) with juvenile pacing fillies competing in four divisions of the $245,000 ISS, all sponsored by Blue Chip Stallions, while juvenile filly trotters will race in five divisions of the $324,500 ISS, three of which are named for Walner and sponsored by the Walner Syndicate and two of which named for Muscle Hill and sponsored by Southwind Farms.
The 12-race matinee will get underway with first-race post time of 1:00 p.m. (EDT).
(Red Mile)