Driver Andrew McCarthy took authority with Beltassima through a swift tempo and survived a leg-weary final quarter to take the $40,000 opening round of the Kentucky Championship Series for three-year-old trotting fillies on Sunday (Aug. 8) at The Red Mile.
Adirondack forged to the lead from post 9 with Ineffable yielding for the pocket to a :27.4 first quarter. McCarthy floated the 3-5 choice into fourth moving for the backstretch but was quick to pull off the pegs and blitz the leader towards a :55.2 half.
Beltassima successfully grabbed the lead heading for the final turn while Empressive Hill, parked from the start from post 10, pressed forward uncovered before tiring and breaking stride before three-quarters. Passing the third station in 1:22.4, Beltassima ground through the crawl for home chased by a fresh-legged Adirondack, who loomed closer coming to the final eighth. However Beltassima dug in to the line to win by a half length in 1:52 over Adirondack, with Argyle closing for third and Ineffable holding fourth.
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Owned by Crawford Farms Racing, Beltassima has won four races from eight starts this season and six from 15 overall, earning $235,647. Tony Alagna trains the daughter of Trixton who paid $3.40 to win.
Kildare King claimed the $40,000 four-horse dash for the opening preliminary of the Kentucky Championship Three-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Trot at the start of the card. Driver Corey Callahan landed the Trixton gelding in third while Tangled Love set a clip of :28.2, :56.3 and 1:25.2 on the lead. Coming off the final turn, Callahan fanned Kildare King towards the center of the track and lunged after the lead late, sliding a neck in front of Tangled Love at the finish of a 1:53.2 mile. Uncle AJ gave chase up the inside for third while Rattle My Cage, who broke passing the quarter, finished a distant fourth.
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Trained by Chris Beaver for owner Tom Crouch, Kildare King collected his second win from 11 starts and pushed his bankroll to $40,750. Chris Beaver conditions the $7.60 winner.
Jula Muscle Pack ($6.00) led the pair of $20,000 Kentucky Commonwealth divisions of three-year-old trotting colts and geldings with a 1:53.2 win for owner Jula Racing Inc., trainer Per Engblom and driver Andrew McCarthy. Speed Away ($28.20) upset narrowly in the final division to break his maiden in 1:54.3 for owner Consus Racing Stable Inc., trainer Jonas Czernyson and driver Corey Callahan.
Altar ($2.80) topped the winners of the $20,000 Kentucky Commonwealth for three-year-old trotting fillies with a 1:51.2 win for owner Diamond Creek Racing, trainer Nancy Takter and driver Dexter Dunn. Material Girl ($2.60) romped in the other division with a 12-1/4 length score in 1:52 for owner Oakwood Farms, trainer Lucas Wallin and driver Dexter Dunn.
Racing resumes at The Red Mile on Monday (Aug. 9) with a 10-race card, while stakes return to Lexington on Tuesday (Aug. 10) with the first round of the Kentucky Championship Series for pacing sophomores. First-race post time both days is at 1 p.m. (EDT).
(The Red Mile)