The Red Mile will host the last of its stakes contests this meet for freshmen on Saturday (Oct. 8).
The card will feature three divisions of the $317,700 International Stallion Stakes for two-year-old trotting fillies and three divisions of the $299,100 International Stallion Stakes for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings.
The first $105,900 division for the freshman trotting fillies is carded as Race 2. A pair of Bluegrass winners will return to Lexington in this split with Mambacita drawing post eight off a 1:53.2 victory and Railee Something scoring post four following a 16-1 upset. David Miller has opted to steer Mambacita for trainer Tony Alagna while Railee Something acquires the duties of Todd McCarthy.
In division two, going as Race 6, Walner Payton will escape the grips of standout filly Special Way. Dexter Dunn will drive the Chris Ryder trainee from post seven as she tries for her first win since taking the New Jersey Sires Stakes final on July 22. This field also includes the third- and fourth-place finishers against Special Way, Secret Volo (starting from post two) and Royal Filly (post four) respectively, as well as a developing filly for trainer Bob Stewart in Fruit Cake (post one).
Trotting fillies will finish their engagements in Race 8. Kentuckiana winner Heart On Fire will attempt to make amends off a levelled finish in the Bluegrass last week with Dexter Dunn staying in the bike behind the Tony Alagna pupil from post one. She will start just two slots inside of Kayleigh S, a Marcus Melander pupil and full sister to Joviality S. Brian Sears will sit behind her in the bike.
The International Stallion Stakes for male pacers begin in Race 3 with Chris Ryder’s speed freak Handlelikeaporsche (pictured above) returning off a 1:50.2 blowout in the Bluegrass. Dexter Dunn will drive the colt from post five in the nine-horse contest that includes Metro Pace finalist Ants Marching (post six).
Another Metro Pace finalist, second-place finisher Save America, ships south to start in the $99,700 second division. Yannick Gingras will drive the Nancy Takter trainee from post four and opts off his Ron Burke-trained charge Ervin Hanover, who now attains David Miller from post eight.
Bluegrass division winner Admiral Hill competes in the final division. Dexter Dunn will drive the Chris Ryder trainee fresh from a 1:50.4 win over the red clay against a field which includes developing Joe Holloway prospect Ammo (post one), Kentucky Commonwealth runner-up Combustion (post three) and second-place Bluegrass finisher Gung Ho (post five).
The International Stallion Stakes for freshman trotting fillies are sponsored by the Long Tom, International Moni and Walner stallion syndicates, with the Long Tom also presented by Midland Acres and the International Moni by Hanover Shoe Farm. The International Stallion Stakes for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings are presented by the Tall Dark Stranger syndicate and Hanover Shoe Farm.
First-race post time is 1 p.m. (EDT).
(With files from The Red Mile)