Temperatures were in the low 80s and the track was lightning fast, as three-year-old trotters and pacers took to the historic red clay oval to square off in leg two of the
Kentucky Sires Stakes on Thursday, August 20 at the Red Mile.
A full field of 11 went behind the gate to square off in the single $25,000 KYSS division for three-year-old colt pacers. Defending two-year old KYSS champion Carnivore (driven by Luke McCarthy), a judges' scratch in leg one, drew the far outside (Post 10) and gunned out to lead the field through the first turn, while Sheer Desire (Matt Kakaley) found a seat in fifth in the early going.
Carnivore cruised through a hot first quarter of :26.2, and a half in :53, before facing the challenge of a first-over Sheer Desire around the final turn and through three-quarters in 1:21.4. Sheer Desire, which equaled the World Record as a two-year old during the Grand Circuit at the Red Mile with a 1:49.3 score last season, was able to put Carnivore away down the stretch and cruise to a five and three-quarter-length score in 1:49.2, a new lifetime mark. The gelded son of Real Desire--Carolache is trained by Ron Burke for the Burke Racing Stable, JJK Stables, L. Karr, and R. Ringer. Carnivore was able to hold on for second, while Bob Watts (Dan Noble) was over 10 lengths back in third.
The three-year-old pacing fillies needed only one $25,000 KYSS heat as well, as another full field of 11 went to the gate in the evening’s 13th race. It turned into a battle between the top two finishers from the $300,000 final one year ago, as Warrawee Kay (Chris Page) snuck up the pylons late to turn the table on defending champion Shanghai Lil (Mike Lachance), which was a neck back in second after a taxing first-over journey. The win was the first of the season for Warrawee Kay, a daughter of Real Desire--Armbro Wisdom, in a time of 1:52.3. Mike Roth trains the filly for Alan Keith. Apricot Brandy used a second-over trip to get up for third, only a half-length behind the winner.
Only eight three-year-old trotting fillies contested the lone $25,000 KYSS division, and B Nicki (Brad Hanners) benefited off a perfect second-over trip behind Mystical Heiress (Matt Kakaley) to sprint away to a five-length victory in 1:57, a lifetime best. The daughter of Like A Prayer--B Floto is trained by Bret Shultz for Ben Robards. Mystical Heiress was able to hold onto the place spot, while Prayer Kannection (Peter Wrenn) was another length back in third.
The three-year-old trotting colts were the only group that merited two $15,000 KYSS divisions, as 14 colts were dropped in the box. The first division turned into a gate-to-wire romp for Motor Inn (Mike Lachance), which cruised through fractions of :29, :57.2, 1:26.2, before opening up by more than seven lengths on the wire in 1:56, a new lifetime mark. The son of Like A Prayer--Ritzy Ritz is trained by Bobby Brower for the DM Stables LLC. Touchdown Franco (Brad Hanners) was up in time for second, while Alliance Hall (Peter Wrenn) rounded out the trifecta.
The second $15,000 KYSS division for three-year-old trotting colts went much the same, as Up Front Prayer (Dan Noble) led the field gate to wire through fractions of :28.1, :56.2, 1:25.3, and sprinted away to an easy four and a half-length score in 1:55.4, also a lifetime best. The son of Like A Prayer--Banshee Hall has now won races in both legs of the KYSS. Up Front Prayer is trained by Jim Arledge for Ed Mullinax. Kibbutz Dream (Henrik Hollsten) slid out down the stretch to manage second, while Sensational Prayer (Matt Kakaley) held third after coming first-over.
Racing action continues at the Red Mile on Sunday night with a first post of 6:30 p.m. for the 14-race program.
(With files from the Red Mile)