On Tuesday, July 29, The Red Mile will host a 16-race card once again focused on freshman, except this day will spotlight filly pacers who seek to follow the career path of defending U.S. Horse of the Year and Kentucky champion Twin B Joe Fresh.
There will be one $80,000 USD first-round division of the Kentucky Championship Series, two $30,000 first-leg splits of the Kentucky Commonwealth Series, three $15,000 USD first-round Kentucky Golden Rod Series dashes, and two $10,000 divisions of the first leg of the Kentucky Wildcat Series.
A talented group of young ladies goes to post in the 11th race, the Kentucky Championship Series tilt. There is the undefeated Caviart Daisy (Andrew McCarthy), who will leave from post position two for conditioner Jamie Sullivan. The daughter of Sweet Lou-Caviart Darlin is unbeaten in three outings with a lifetime mark of 1:51 and earnings of $122,917. She is 5-2 on the morning line as she enters this contest off a triumph in the $136,986 Kentucky Sire Stakes final for this division at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel on July 14.
Bred by Caviart Farms, the filly was selected for $36,486 at last year’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale by owner Frank Chick. She is a half-sibling to Caviart Delight (Always B Miki, $182,501), and her dam is a half-sister to the incredibly talented Darlinonthebeach (Somebeachsomewhere, $1,154,356). Caviart Daisy’s granddam is none other than world champion, Dan Patch and O’Brien Award winner Darlins Delight (Bettors Delight, $3.02 million). The mare has proved to be just as prolific in the breeding shed as on the racetrack, as she is the dam of four other individuals who eclipsed $100,000 in purse earnings. They are Rock N Delight (Rocknroll Hanover, $101,391), Pro Beach (Somebeachsomewhere, $366,909), Caviart Audrey (Somebeachsomewhere, $374,667), and Caviart Scotland (American Ideal, $199,438).
Caviart Daisy, however, has her hooves full. Call Me Angelita (Tim Tetrick) was assigned the rail for trainer Scott Di Domenico and is 9-2 on the morning line. The daughter of Papi Rob Hanover-Angels Pride sports a record of 4-2-2-0 and has collected $47,541 in purse money. The filly is the first foal out of her dam, who earned $554,253 during her racing career. Call Me Angelita was purchased for $155,405 by Triple D and Oompa Farm, Michael Rekoon, Craig Henderson, and Steve Stewart at last year’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. She was bred by Triple D Stables Inc. and JFE Enterprise LLC. The filly’s granddam, Angel Place (Artsplace), also foaled All Pro Hall (Cambest, $269,336), Heavenly Place (Riverboat King, $234,975), A Wish For Wings (Royal Mattjesty, $178,802), and Jojos Place (Roll With Joe, $453,330).
Bahama Momma (Scott Zeron) has yet to taste defeat in her two-race career and has earned $62,889. The daughter of Tall Dark Stanger-Idyllic Beach hails from the barn of Joe Bongiorno. She will commence pacing her mile from post five and is 7-2 on the morning line. The filly has earned each of her triumphs in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes company, and her mark of 1:51.4 was achieved in her last trip behind the gate. Bred by Christina Takter, Marvin Katz, and Brixton Medical Inc., Bahama Momma is the fifth foal out of Idyllic Beach, a Dan Patch and O’Brien Award winner, who earned $1.25 million on the track. The filly is a full sister to Delray Beach ($177,484). Her granddam, Idyllic (American Ideal, $1.31 million) received the 2010 O’Brien Award for a two-year-old filly pacer. Idyllic Beach was her only offspring. Bahama Momma was purchased privately by Let It Stables Inc. and Odds On Racing.
In the third race, the first Commonwealth Series division, eight well-bred fillies continue or begin their careers over the red clay. Need You Now (Patrick Ryder) broke her maiden in her first attempt on July 20 at Pocono Downs for trainer Chris Ryder. The daughter of Captaintreacherous-Dream Outloud will begin pacing from the rail and is 7-2 on the morning line. She competes as a homebred for Fred Kruszelnicki and is a full sibling to 2021 Dan Patch Stakes winner Catch The Fire ($1.52 million). Need You Now is also a full-sister to Captains Place ($211,939) and a half-sister to Absolute Intent (Well Said, $167,181).
In the second division of the Commonwealth Series, which is Race 6, the Ryder team sends out Bettor Be A Star (Bettors Wish-It Can Happen). The filly drew post six in the field of eight and is 5-2 after capturing her career bow on July 20 at Pocono Downs in 1:53.3. Bred by Diamond Creek Farm LLC and Country Club Acres Inc., Bettor Be A Star was purchased by her trainer’s stable for $13,889 at the 2024 Standardbred Horse Sale. The filly is the third foal out of her dam, who is a half-sister to Boogy Woogy J (Sweet Lou, $270,343) and Human Cocktail (Huntsville, $143,306). Bettor Be A Star’s second dam, Lotsa Matza (American Ideal), is a full sister to Dan Patch Award winner and Breeders Crown victor Heston Blue Chip ($1.78 million) and Sunfire Blue Chip ($1.65 million). This is the family of Kikikatie (Real Artist, $1.41 million), which is one of the most sought-after in harness racing.
The three Golden Rod Series events will be contested as Races 2, 5, and 7 on the card, while the two Wildcat Series legs are Races 8 and 10. All three Golden Rod Series races have full 10-horse fields. Both Wildcat Series contests contain seven entrants.
(With files from The Red Mile)