Beltassima and Andrew McCarthy never had an anxious moment as the prohibitive favourite splashed home in the $50,000 fourth leg of the four-year-old series at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel for Kentucky-bred trotting mares on Tuesday (June 12).
The other three divisions for Kentucky-breds were also captured by the public’s post time choice. Driver Yannick Gingras was in the sulky behind three of the four winners.
Beltassima entered this contest with an unblemished three-for-three record this season and established she has a fondness for the Bluegrass by collecting her fourth consecutive triumph. The daughter of Trixton-Beltane Hanover assumed command from her rail position in the beginning of the mile with second choice Awesome Trix and Tony Hall in second. The order remained the same at the finish line with Jazzy Jules and Christian Lind in third.
Trained by Tony Alagna and owned by Crawford Farms, Beltassima is now 25-11-4-2 and has earned $422,947. The mare paid $2.20 to win and stopped the clock in 1:55.1 over a rain-soaked track.
Blue Diamond Eyes provided Gingras with his first of three victories on the card when the daughter of Captaintreacherous-Aria Hanover powered home in 1:50.4 in the division for pacing mares. This was the fourth consecutive triumph for the Kentucky champion after a slow start to begin her season. High Minded and Kevin Wallis were second with Classicist and McCarthy in third.
Trained by Ron Burke, Blue Diamond Eyes now sports a resume of 39-15-7-5 and has banked $1.25 million for owners Thomas and Scott Dillon. The mare paid $2.10 to her supporters and, like Beltassima, has won all four legs of this series.
Kentucky champion Goldies Legacy collected his third win of the series. Steered by Gingras, the son of Always A Virgin-Ag N Au Bluegrass took the lead before the half-mile pole and never relinquished it in the division for male pacers. Komodo Beach and McCarthy finished second with Caviart Lotus and Hall in third.
Goldies Legacy now has earned $464,910 for trainer Jeff Cullipher and co-owner Pollack Racing. The gelding’s record stands at 47-16-4-2. He paid $3.40 to win as the heavy favourite and was timed in 1:50.
Kildare King and Gingras won the division for male trotters over Jula Muscle Pack and McCarthy in 1:52. Flemsteen and Joey Putnam were third in the race that was conducted as a non-wagering event prior to the pari-mutuel card.
Trained by Chris Beaver, Kildare King left the gate in front and remained there until the wire. The gelded son of Trixton-Exclusivity collected his third consecutive win in the series. His record now stands at 32-9-4-3 and he has amassed $187,725 in purse money. Kildare King competes as a homebred for Robert Goodman.
The $150,000 series final is scheduled for July 19. The top eight point-earners in each division will be guaranteed a spot in the starting gate.
To review point standings for this series, click here.
Racing at Oak Grove is conducted on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday with a post time of 3 p.m. CST. Oak Grove will also host the $20,000 consolations and $100,000 finals for the early sire stakes for freshmen and sophomores on July 17.
(Kentucky Harness Association)