Freshman trotters and pacers were in action Sunday, August 9 at the Red Mile, the historic clay oval in Lexington, Kentucky. The youngsters were squaring off in ten $15,000 divisions of the Kentucky Sires Stakes trying to earn points towards a spot in the $2.4 million night of champions scheduled for September 6.
It took all the way until the 17th race, a $15,000 KYSS division for two-year old filly pacers, for chaos to break loose on a card heavily dominated by favourites, as Best Boss (driven by Roger Cullipher) surged by rivals in time to post a three quarters of one length victory in 1.53.1. The Cambest--Head of the House filly was 99-1 on the infield toteboard and returned $202.60 for the win, capping off a $3,376.80 exacta. Roger Cullipher also trains and owns the blossoming filly which has now recorded two wins in three lifetime starts.
The other KYSS two-year-old pacing filly division was won by Windsong Goldie (Dan Noble). The daughter of Jennas Beach Boy--Good As Gold posted a gate-to-wire, two-length victory in 1:55.4.
There were also three $15,000 KYSS divisions for two-year-old pacing colts. In Treatment (Mike Lachance), a son of Jate Lobell--Angel Park, used a first-over move just past the half to take the lead and dug in gamely down the stretch to score a half length victory in 1:54.1. The second division was won by The Beach Boy (Luke McCarthy), a son of Jennas Beach Boy--Spicy Dumpling, which slid up the pylons as part of a perfect steer from McCarthy and got up in time for a half-length win in 1:54.2. The third and final two-year-old colt split went to High Def Z Tam (Mike Lachance), a son of Real Desire--Caribbean. Lachance had the 2-5 favourite perfectly positioned second over around the final turn and tipped three deep at the head of the lane, using a :27.1 final quarter to score a one and a quarter-length win.
Another impressive performance came in the $15,000 KYSS 8th race, one of two divisions for two-year-old trotting fillies. Nannina went straight to the front for driver Andy Miller, extended her lead out to 10 lengths by the half, and never looked back. The filly cruised through fractions of :30, :57.4 and 1:29.3 before hitting the finish line more than seven lengths the best in 1:59. The daughter of Valley Victor--Nannina Ambrosio is trained by Julie Miller for Freida Ivory and Teresa Mitchell of Delaware. The 4-5 favourite was making its first local start since making a break in its Marie Annabelle elimination at the Meadowlands.
The other $15,000 KYSS filly trot was taken by Like A Cherry Tree in 2:00.1 with Peter Wrenn in the bike. Wrenn had the daughter of Like A Prayer--Cherry Tree Sara rushing out early and yielded for the pocket spot where she would remain until the top of the stretch, when she bolted up the inside to get up and in time for a head victory.
There were three $15,000 divisions of the KYSS for two-year-old trotting colts. Quantum Lightning (Brad Hanners), a son of Like A Prayer--Italiana Chip, took the lead up the backstretch and never looked back, posting a three and three-quarter-length victory in 1:59.1 as the 2-5 favourite. Victors Future (Trace Tetrick), a son of Valley Victor--Baby Bella, parlayed a perfect pocket trip into a one-length victory in 1:59.3. The third and final split went to first time starter Jeffie T (Doug Rideout), a son of Like A Prayer--GJs Crown. Rideout moved the gelding to the lead at the midpoint of the backstretch and continued on for a one and three-quarter-length win in 2:00.3.
KYSS action continues tonight at the Red Mile with seven divisions for three-year-old trotters and pacers on the 16-race card. First-race post time for tonight's card is 6:30 p.m.
(With files from the Red Mile)