Maverick sent a shockwave through the Standardbred industry last fall when he sold for a record $1.1 million at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. Anticipation had been gathering for the colt's pari-mutuel debut, which came today (Monday, August 17) at the Red Mile in Lexington Kentucky.
Maverick lined up for Race 2 during the Red Mile's 12-dash Monday program, which was contested over a 'fast' track. The son of Father Patrick--Designed To Be lined up in Post 2 for the 10-horse affair, which was a conditioned trot for two-year-olds.
After surveying the scene off the start, driver Joe Bongiorno settled the Tony Alagna trainee into third as the Mattais Melander-driven Immigrant AM S crossed over from the outside and led the field over to the quarter pole in :29.2.
Maverick, who is a full brother to the great Greenshoe, took his cue from Bongiorno in the second panel, who asked his charge for a move to the lead. Maverick responded by assuming control of the engine prior to the :58.3 half-mile.
Maverick maintained his one-length lead through the third quarter, as he trotted past the three-quarters marker in 1:28.4.
Maverick increased his lead to two lengths at the head of the lane and went on to stop the clock in a maiden-breaking 1:57.2. His final quarter was timed in :28.3 and his margin of victory was one and a half lengths.
“I’m very happy with his first start,” Alagna told harnessracing.com after the victory. “Maverick was comfortable and strong through the wire. Joe was very impressed with him.”
Maverick is owned by the Maverick Racing partnership, which is based out of Milton, Ont.
Maverick, pictured in the ring at the 2019 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.
In the 3rd race at the Red
In the 3rd race at the Red Mile, a Kentucky Sires Stakes event, Natives Filou nearly blew a fuse on the tote board when he won and paid $365 to win! I think that's the highest winning price that any horse has paid in North America in 2020.