On a sweltering evening in the Bluegrass State, the Kentucky Proud Series Finals produced some sizzling results with a mix of favourites and longshots hitting the finish line first on Sunday, July 20. The eight $68,493 finals for freshman and sophomores of both gaits and genders showcased the finest performers on the Kentucky Fair Circuit this season.
Keep On Gliding (Geremy Bobbitt) soared in the stretch to spring the one-length upset over favourite Giggity Goo (Marvin Luna) in the rookie trotting filly final in 1:56.4. Your Best Day Ever (Joey Putnam) rounded out the trifecta. The winning daughter of You Know You Do-Keep On Loving You is trained by Jamaica Patton and owned by Gary Achenbach. Her record now stands at 7-2-5-0 and she has earned $56,791 in purse money. Keep On Gliding paid $18.10 to win.
The public’s second selection, Deuce Pop (Todd McCarthy), held off favoured August Salazar (Bobbitt) by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:56.1 in the two-year-old colt trot final. Magical Six Pack (Andy Shetler) was third. Deuce Pop, a Tactical Landing-Atlantic Crest colt, is trained by Randal Jerrell, who co-owns him with Atlantic Trot Inc. and Steve Stewart. The colt has won three times in seven starts and has put $57,751 in the bank. Deuce Pop paid $5.56 to win.
Complete Stranger (Atlee Bender) scored a workmanlike victory in the freshman filly pace event in 1:53.3, defeating Queen Of Tells (Andy Miller) by 2-1/4 lengths. Lady Allure (Carson Conrad) followed the top two home. Erv Miller trains the winning daughter of Tall Dark Stranger-Annies Legacy for Douglas Overhiser, Louis Willinger, D & M Trading II LLC, and John Schwarz Jr. Complete Stranger improved her record to 6-4-2-0 and her bankroll to $62,360. She returned $15.58 to win.
Prince Willie (Putnam) threw down a last quarter of :26.3 as he streaked clear of the field in a 9-1/4-length demolition of the rookie pacing male final in 1:51.3. Dont Shut Me Down (Kyle Wilfong) got up for second over Fletchers Field (Bobbitt). Prince Willie, an altered son of Lazarus N-Princess Layla, is trained by Roger Cullipher for Ronald Mersky. The gelding has earned $57,563 and won four of five starts. He paid $4.94 to win as the second choice.
Favoured Whiskey Wow (Pat Curtin) overcame the 10-hole in the sophomore trotting male final as he staved off the late advance of Louises Legacy (Bender) by three-quarters of a length in 1:52.2. Boots N Beer (Putnam) nabbed the show spot. Whiskey Wow, by Crazy Wow-Whimzical Britt, is 10-6-1-2 lifetime with $85,625 in earnings for owner/trainer Burlin Brower. The favourite paid $5.06 at the windows in his third straight win.
Six Questions (Mike Simons) left the public puzzled as she pulled off the biggest upset of the evening at odds of 89-1 in the three-year-old filly trot final. She won by a half-length in 1:55.1 over Chosen Prayer (Matt Krueger). Come And Gait It (Peter Wrenn) completed the trifecta, which for a $1 base paid $2,246.14. A daughter of Six Pack-To The Question, Six Questions broke her maiden in her 18th lifetime start. Her record is now 18-1-3-4 and she has earned $65,052. Simons trains the filly and shares ownership with Dona McDonald and A P Racing. She paid $180.24 to win.
Perfect World (Cordarius Stewart) shocked the betting public at odds of 74-1 as she nosed out Flossy Girl Hill (Tyler Shehan) by a nose to take the sophomore pacing filly final in 1:51.1. Favourite Princess Arch (Bender) came home third. By Captain Crunch and out of Gentlemens Delight, the winning filly is trained by Martin Woodward and owned by Elizabeth and Jacob Roedl. Perfect World’s resume is now 24-6-3-5 with $95,995 in the bank. The filly paid $151.14 to her supporters.
Boomerang (McCarthy) rallied from eighth at three-quarters and nailed Captain Arturovico (Bobbitt) on the line to triumph by a nose in 1:49.4 in the final for three-year-old male pacers. Capt Karma (Curtin) was promoted to second after Captain Arturovico was placed seventh. Docs Buddy (Jerrell) was elevated to third. A son of Downbytheseaside out of Amherst, the Tony Dinges-trained Boomerang now possesses a resume of 22-7-3-6 and a bankroll of $155,004. He is owned by Marvin Rounick. He provided his backers with $8.02 at the windows. The final time shaved nearly four seconds off his previous mark.
Racing will continue through Sunday, October 5, following a Sunday through Wednesday schedule. Fans and horsemen can look forward to 5:05 p.m. post times on Sundays and 1:00 p.m. post times on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays throughout the meet.
The Red Mile is pleased to announce the return of Sunday Night Lights presented by Crawford Farms. Sunday Night Lights will bring a new level of energy to the track and will feature championship racing alongside themed events, live music, family friendly entertainment and drink and dining specials.
The Red Mile’s clubhouse will be open for dining each Sunday evening during live racing and will offer a variety of delicious menu items. Guests are encouraged to make reservations by calling 859-255-0752.
Guests can swipe their driver’s license at the on-site kiosk in the Clubhouse for a chance to win prizes worth up to $500. Guests can also receive a free t-shirt with the purchase of a live racing program while supplies last.
The Red Mile will once again feature industry low takeout on the pari mutuel side of things while offering fans a full buffet of wagering options including bookend daily doubles, exacta and trifecta wagering, 20-cent superfectas, Pick-3, Pick-4, Pick-5, and Pick-6 offerings, and the Super Hi-5.
(With files from The Red Mile)