The Red Mile conducted two $47,945 first-round contests of the Kentucky Sire Stakes for four-year-old male and female trotters on Tuesday, July 22. Vic Zelenskyy returned from a vacation as a victor, and Black Velvet As collected her second consecutive triumph in sire stakes company.
The impeccably bred Vic Zelenskyy (Greenshoe-Mission Brief), who has experienced trouble staying flat throughout his career, demonstrated his affinity for the red clay with his fifth triumph over the Lexington oval in the horses and geldings division.
With Dexter Dunn at the controls for conditioner Marcus Melander, the stallion commenced trotting from post five as Bargain (Marvin Luna) took control out of the gate from post seven through a first quarter in :28.1. Dunn, however, decided it was time to place Vic Zelenskyy in command prior to a half in :56.1. He never relinquished that position through three-quarters in 1:24.2, and he drew away to a 4-1/4-length victory in 1:51. Bargain came on again with a drive in the lane, but Vic Zelenskyy was best. Mister Dad (David Miller) rounded out the trifecta. Vic Zelenskyy paid $5.14 to his supporters.
Sent off as the second choice in the field of seven, Vic Zelenskyy is owned by S R F Stable as well as Holly Lane Stud East Ltd. He was bred by Mission Brief Stable, and the $550,000 yearling purchase at the 2022 Lexington sale is the first of world champion Mission Brief’s five offspring of racing age to break the $100,000 barrier. The four-year-old’s record now stands at 15-6-2-0, and he has banked $154,311. He last competed in his 2024 Breeders Crown elimination where he broke stride, but he did win an elimination of last year’s Kentucky Futurity.
Black Velvet As (Dan Noble) made the best of her appearance this afternoon in the mares division to score in 1:51.3, a new lifetime mark, over Justasiam As (Luna) and Danger (Robert Taylor).
The public’s top choice in the field of nine, Black Velvet As left from post six and settled in fourth as Butter N Syrup (Todd McCarthy) established splits of :27.4 and :56.2. Danger decided it was time to go to the top at the half and led the field through three-quarters in 1:24.1. At that juncture, Black Velvet As was poised to strike as she had advanced into second. As Danger retreated in the drive to the finish line, Justasiam As launched her bid, but Black Velvet As proved to be the stronger of the two and came home to win by 1-1/4 lengths.
A daughter of Archangel-Provide As, Black Velvet As possesses a resume of 24-7-6-2 and has amassed $357,130. The homebred is trained by Anette Lorentzon for ACL Stuteri AB. The four-year-old entered this contest off a triumph in the $205,479 Kentucky Sire Stakes Final for this division at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel on June 24. The mare provided $4.60 to all those who selected her in Tuesday's win.
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 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 double wagering, exacta and trifecta wagering, 20-cent superfectas, Pick-3, Pick-4, Pick-5, and Pick-6 offerings, and the Super Hi-5.
(The Red Mile; photo of Vic Zelenskyy winning on July 22)