Brandon Blvd once again strutted his stuff at The Red Mile to remain perfect in four starts with a 1:50.1 triumph in the $111,111 third leg of the Kentucky Championship Series for freshman male pacers on Sunday, Aug. 17.
With Tim Tetrick holding the lines, Brandon Blvd outlasted a sizzling :25.4 final quarter from a closing Ubrute (Yannick Gingras) to stay undefeated.
Commencing his journey from post seven in the field of eight, Tetrick positioned the son of Downbytheseaside-Alexis Faith in fourth position as longshot Treacherous (David Miller) shot to the lead and established the first split of :27.1. His time in command was short-lived as Funky Buddha (Todd McCarthy) assumed that spot going to the half in :55.1. He continued on top through three-quarters in 1:23.4, but Brandon Blvd was on the move and advanced into second at that juncture.
Ubrute was also making his own move from sixth at the midway point and was in third as the field sprinted to the finish line. As Funky Buddha slowed from his earlier efforts, Brandon Blvd stormed to the lead and proved best as he prevailed by 1-1/2 lengths. Ubrute finished second after his late sprint, followed by Funky Buddha.
Trained by Andrew Harris, Brandon Blvd has only seemed to improve with each start and has won races on the lead as well as from off the pace. Bred by Crawford Farms LLC, the colt is owned by his conditioner, William Pollock and Bruce Areman. Brandon Blvd is the second in as many foals out of his dam to bank more than $100,000, with earnings of $173,441. He paid $3.46 to win as the public’s top selection.
The 15-race card also contained two $41,667 divisions of the Kentucky Commonwealth Series, three $20,833 splits of the Kentucky Golden Rod Series, and two $13,889 groups of the Kentucky Wildcat Series. All events were third-round contests for two-year-old male pacers.
Tetrick picked up his first of two stakes wins with Toby Ornot Toby ($28) in the first Commonwealth Series division in 1:51.1 for a mild upset at odds of 13-1. Favourite Winnercircleseeker (Yannick Gingras) was second and Coup Station (Atlee Bender) rounded out the triactor. A son of Tall Dark Stranger-Mackie Hanover, Toby Ornot Toby broke his maiden in his fifth start for trainer Scott DiDomenico and owners Oompa’s Farm Inc. and Joseph Barbera.
Captain Apple ($6.24) and Dexter Dunn won the second Commonwealth contest in 1:51.4. Drink To That (Scott Zeron) was second with favourite Papi Rick (Andrew McCarthy) taking the show spot. A son of Captaintreacherous-Apple Hanover, Captain Apple is now one-for-three. Chris Ryder trains the colt and co-owns him with Lisa Ezzo, Alan Johnston, and Let It Ride Stables Inc.
Push Up ($19.02), a son of Tall Dark Stranger-Wrangler Magic, took the first Golden Rod division in a lifetime-best 1:52.2 for driver Andrew McCarthy, trainer Tahnee Camilleri and owners Kap Singh Racing Stable and Stephen Klunowski. Thiago Hanover ($3.30) romped in the second split in 1:51.1 with Gingras in the sulky behind the Tall Dark Stranger-Trillions Hanover gelding for conditioner Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Larry Karr, Knox Services Inc., and Beasty LLC. Kiss In The Sky ($22.38) prevailed in 1:52.3 in the final group driven by Dunn for Ryder, who trains the Bettors Wish-No Clouds Bluechip colt and and co-owns him with Ezzo, Mark Harder, and Robert Mondillo.
Be Sting (Dunn, $4.24) and Lous Rodeo (Andrew McCarthy, $3.58) had their pictures taken for victories in the Wildcat Series divisions.
On Monday, Aug. 18, The Red Mile will host 16 races, and the Kentucky stakes action will primarily focus on freshman male trotters, with the exception of two $35,000 USD second-round divisions of the Kentucky Sire Stakes for four-year-old pacers, one for each sex. The rest of the stakes are second-round events for the two-year-old trotting colts and geldings, including one $80,000 USD division of the Championship Series, two $30,000 USD divisions of the Commonwealth Series, three $15,000 USD divisions of the Golden Rod Series, and two $10,000 USD divisions of the Wildcat Series. The Bluegrass debut of New Jersey champion Apex is one to pay particular attention to, as he may be a star in the making.
On Tuesday, Aug. 19, Beautiful Memory, Bahama Momma, and Caviart Daisy will renew their rivalry in the $80,000 USD third-round division of the Kentucky Championship Series for freshman filly pacers. The 15-race program also consists of two $30,000 USD divisions of the Commonwealth Series, three $15,000 USD divisions of the Golden Rod Series, and two $10,000 USD divisions of the Wildcat Series for that group. There will also be two $35,000 USD second-leg divisions of the Kentucky Sire Stakes for older male and female trotters.
(With files from The Red Mile)