Check Me Out was a thoroughly dominant winner in a division of the Bluegrass Series last week at The Red Mile, and she was just as dominant over that oval in Thursday evening's International Stallion Stakes
for two-year-old trotting fillies.
With Tim Tetrick at the helm, Check Me Out tucked into an early three-hole while Feel The Pressure supplied the field with an opening quarter in a :29-second clip. Tetrick brushed his charge to the top as they entered the backstretch, and in a matter of strides they became the leaders. Middle panels of :57.3 and 1:26 were chopped out by the Ray Schnittker trainee, and she tacked on a :27.4 final frame to win by open lengths. Uncommon Night was next best, with Lady Andi taking home third prize in the $93,000 tilt.
Schnittker shares ownership on the daughter of Donato Hanover-Illusion Bi, who was sent off as the 1-9 favourite, with Charles Iannazzo of Tappan, NY. The victory improved her rookie record to 10-2-0 in 12 starts, and the winner’s share of the purse boosted her bankroll to $510,858.
Personal Style pulled off a 48-1 shocker in the next $93,000 division, and that was music to the ears of driver David Miller and trainer Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman. Miller treated Personal Style to a ground-saving trip behind Oasis Dream, who led the field through fractions of :28.1, :57 and 1:26.2. Still sitting fourth at the head of the lane, Miller swung out wide with Personal Style and the filly kicked home strongest of them all to win in 1:55.3. Chilitodayhotamale was second best, with Real Babe taking home the show dough.
The victory was the second of the season in six tries for the daughter of Yankee Glide-Foxy Victory. She improved her record to 2-1-1 for the partnership of Brittany Farms of Versailles, KY and Mel Hartman of Ottawa, ON. She has banked $66,450 to date.
Win Missy B marched to the top and didn’t look back in the final division, winning in a time of 1:55 for the tandem of driver Brian Sears and trainer Charlie Norris. The Conway Hall-Winning Missbrenda homebred stepped through fractions of :29.4, :58.1 and 1:27 before sprinting home in a :28-second clip to defeat Aunt Mel and On The Bright Side.
Sent off as the 1-5 favourite, Win Missy B improved her juvenile record to 6-2-0 in 10 starts for owner/breeder Bob Key of Leechburg, PA. The lion’s share of the purse lifted her earnings to $384,055.