The Red Mile continues its 2023 Championship meeting on Sunday, July 30 with stakes action and a “Better for the Bettor” platform that includes generous guarantees on several exotic events and 12 per cent takeout Pick-4 offerings.
On the all important equine side of the ledger, Sunday’s program includes several stakes events, including an $80,000 Kentucky Sire Stakes for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings. Also, a pair of divisions for juvenile trotters will go postward in the $30,000 Kentucky Commonwealth Series, as well as continuing action in the Kentucky Golden Rod Series.
The $80,000 Kentucky Sire Stakes for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings features a full field of 10 expected behind the Mike Moss starting gate with two of the of the youngsters, Topmost and G O A T, each looking for repeat victories.
Topmost, a son of Walner trained by Melissa Essig, won his very first pari-mutuel start at Hoosier Park, using a :27.3 kick home from the pocket to score in 1:57.4. Owned by John Schmucker along with Steve Stewart, Maumee River Stables and Northern Lane Farm, he steps up after a handy win in a "non-winners of one" event and is expected to be handled by John De Long.
G O A T, also a son of Walner, won his last pari-mutuel start, winning the $100,000 Kentucky Sire Stakes final at Oak Grove in 1:55.1. Owned by Douglas Overhiser, along with Glenn Holland, Jamie Durnburnberger-Smith and Louis Willing, trainer Erv Miller has kept G O A T sharp with a qualifying win at Hoosier Park on July 19 in 1:58.1, with a final quarter in :27.2. Atlee Bender will be in the sulky back of this youngster.
Back to the betting buffet menu, The Red Mile will feature a pair of Pick-4 events beginning in races six and 10, each with an industry low 12 per cent takeout and the first one further featuring a $10,000 guarantee.
A 50-cent Pick-5 on Sunday features an inviting 12 per cent takeout and a $5,000 guaranteed pool, further bolstered by a carryover of $1,015.
There are two Super Hi-5 events on the Sunday card, each featuring a popular 20-cent minimum wager with a low 15 per cent takeout as well. The initial Super Hi-5 on race five also has a generous $2,326 carryover.
The 20-cent Superfecta wager will be offered on five races on Sunday with a Pick-6 joining the 20-cent party complete with a low 15 per cent takeout.
There are a trio of Pick-3 events on the stakes-laden program and all races will have exacta and trifecta wageriing.
Daily double betting will be available on the first two races and last two races.
The Red Mile races on a Sunday-Monday-Tuesday schedule with a 1 p.m. post time. Free program pages are available on the redmileracing.com website along with race replays, courtesy of Roberts Communications.
(With files from The Red Mile)