The weather was perfect and the action on the track eventful, as the 134th season of racing got underway on Sunday, August 2nd at The Red Mile
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The card was highlighted by three $10,000 Kentucky Fair Finals that went as the first three races on the program.
Just A Valley Gal continued her winning ways, as the daughter of Valley Victor-Just Having Fun took the freshman filly trot en route to her sixth victory of the season in only seven lifetime starts with a winning time of 2:01.1. Driver Joe Putnam settled the filly in fourth in the early going and used a first-over move to hold off the late charge of ValleyoftheGoddess (Bobby Brower), who was a half-length back in second, and get by the early leader Like A Cherry Tree (Tyler Shehan), who held onto third a length behind the winner. Just A Valley Gal is trained by Stacey Ruddick for Jack Holton of Westfield, Indiana.
The $10,000 Kentucky Fair Final for two-year-old filly pacers was taken by Like A Realist (Peter Wrenn). The daughter of Real Desire-Like An Artist made two moves in the mile, one down the backstretch and the other just in time to get up and score a half-length victory over Cadiz (Dan Shetler) in a time of 1:56.1. The even money favourite, Rintintin (Michael Pryor), was the leader turning for home and held on for third three-quarters of a length back. Like A Realist is trained and co-owned by Steve Carter, along with Robert Reid and Chuck Grubbs, all of Ohio.
The third and final $10,000 Kentucky Fair Final on the evening program was for three-year old filly pacers. The win was never in doubt as heavy 2-5 favourite Mephisto Waltz (Dan Shetler) settled into fourth early on and used a first over bid around the final turn to take control and score an easy 6 and 3/4 length victory in 1:55.1, a new lifetime mark. The filly is owned and trained by Barkley Counts of Flintville, Tennessee. Miss Mandy Mooh (Roger Cullipher) was able to shake loose down the lane and grab the second spot, while Surprise A Yankee (Kevin Cane) was eight lengths back in third.
Racing will continue at The Red Mile on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday evenings with a first post of 6:30 p.m., including a ten-race program Monday night.
(The Red Mile)