We’ve all heard of squeeze plays in baseball but Red Mile Race Secretary Tina Seekman had the task of “squeezing” a week's work of racing for this week’s Sunday-Monday-Tuesday festivities.
A total of 54 races are on the trio of programs this week, highlighted by a solid menu of stakes races plus a betting buffet to satisfy the many tastes of the “Send It In Army.”
Sunday’s program, with, once again, with a 5:05 evening post time, features a solid 14-race program with eight stakes events—the highlight being the $80,000 USD Kentucky Sire Stakes (KYSS) for two-year-old colt trotters.
The KYSS headliners as Jeffery J (sired by Bar Hopping), Landing On Time (Tactical Landing), Shoe Shine Willie (Greenshoe) and World By Storm (Tactical Landing), all with wins on their young resumes.
Jeffery J is undefeated in his two career starts with the Noel Daley trainee scheduled to driven by Todd McCarthy. He is 8-5 on the morning line off of a 1:55 win at The Meadowlands.
Landing On Time, trained by Linda Toscano, won his initial start for purse money at Woodbine Mohawk Park in 1:56.4 and has Scott Zeron in the bike for Sunday’s event at 7-2.
The gelding Shoe Shine Willie has been the busiest of the group thus far, sporting a 6-0-1 scorecard in his eight starts, including his lifetime best 1:56.2 win at The Red Mile on opening day. Trained by Bill Cottongim, Shoe Shine Willie will be driven by Geremy Bobbitt with his morning line pegged at 6-1.
World By Storm is the only other entrant with a win on his card but his two miscues in his last pair of races has made him 12-1 with Andy Miller driving for Julie Miller.
The betting buffet for Sunday features carryovers in the 20-cent Pick-6 starting in the first race and continues in the 50-cent Pick-5 with that event bolstered by a 12 per cent takeout, a $2,264 carryover and a $10,000 guaranteed pool. In the fifth-race 20-cent Super Hi-5, the takeout is 15 per cent with a carryover of $2,973, as well.
Other “better for the bettor” features on the Sunday program include 12 per cent takeouts on the Pick-4 events on races six and 10, and 15 per cent takeouts on Super Hi-5 races on races 11 and 14.
There will also be a trio of Pick-3 events beginning on races two, nine and 12 and “bookend” daily doubles.
Traditional 20-cent Superfectas, Exactas and Trifectas will also highlight the wagering program.
Both Monday and Tuesday programs have 20 races—18 pari-mutuel and two non-wagering events with post time set for 12:30 p.m., with guarantees returning to Pick-4 offerings and selected other events.
Patrons can enjoy $2 hot dogs and beer. Red Mile encourages guests wishing to make reservations for the dining room to do so early.
Racing program are free on the track's website.
(The Red Mile)