He may not have been dropped into the box for the Kentucky or Commonwealth Series events, but Arson served notice he may be scorching any surface his hooves are upon when capturing his division of the $50,000 Kentucky Golden Rod Series for freshman male pacers at Red Mile on Tuesday (Sept. 19) in 1:51.1.
The event was one of eight $50,000 finals for freshman and sophomore male and female trotters and pacers on a 14-race card.
Steered by Todd McCarthy, Arson commenced his mile as the public’s top choice and deservedly so as the regally bred son of Captaintreacherous-Western Montana captured his last three starts in this company and extended his winning streak by a neck. Steely Knife (Yannick Gingras) gave the colt all he could handle but settled for second. Nuclear (Andy Miller) was third.
Owned by Thestable Arson Group and Hutchinson Harness, the colt is conditioned by Eric Patalan. Arson was bred by Diamond Creek Farm and was purchased for $85,000 at the 2021 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.
The colt is the fifth foal out of his dam to exceed $100,000 in purse money. He is a half brother to champion Pure Country (sired by Somebeachsomewhere, $2.63 million in career earnings), Grand Teton (A Rocknroll Dance, $566,295), Territory (Sweet Lou, $215,453) and Charleston (Downbytheseaside, $740,889).
Arson is also a half brother to the unraced Geothermal, who is the dam of the sport’s swiftest and top ranked horse, Confederate.
Keep My Secret Is No Secret In Golden Rod Pacing Events
Keep My Secret (Tony Hall, $2.96) used a last quarter panel of :26.4 to score in 1:49.4 for trainer Annette Lorentzon in the contest for three-year-old pacing fillies. The sophomore daughter of Captaintreacherous-Lifesliltreasure is owned by her breeder, Dr. Fred Kruszelnicki.
Every Mans Dream (Gingras, $3.54) scored as the favourite in 1:51.2 in the final for two-year-old pacing fillies. The daughter of Always B Miki-Lindys Nightmare is trained by Ron Burke. She is owned by Thomas and Scott Dillon and was bred by Lindy Farms.
Congressional (Tim Tetrick, $7.90) captured the pacing division for sophomore colt and geldings in 1:49. The son of Always B Miki-Betterluck Hanover is trained by Noel Daley. He is owned by Michael Hall, Kdp Stable and Ctc Stable. He was bred by Roll The Dice Stable.
Picaboo Lady Hides From Her Competition In Golden Rod Trotting Contests
Gingras and Picaboo Lady hit the line in 1:53.3 to win by a neck in the division for three-year-old filly trotters. Trained by Chris Beaver, Picaboo Laby is co-owned by her conditioner, Donald Robinson, Rufenacht Stable and Gilbert Short. She was bred by Walter Fister.
Swan Explosion (Peter Wrenn, $9.64) visited the winner’s circle in the two-year-old colt and gelding trot after trotting home in 1:55.2. Melanie Wrenn is the trainer for owners Bottom Line Racing, Wrenn Racing and Timothy Wittmer. Swan Explosion was bred by Gabriella’s LLC.
The Roxbury (David Miller, $11.50) won the division for freshman filly trotters. The daughter of Walner-Paint The Corners is trained by Carter Pinske. She is owned by Al Libfeld, her breeder.
Buckhead Ridge (Scott Zeron, $22.82) won the contest for three-year-old male pacers in 1:52.3. Trained by Gregg McNair, the son of Nuncio-Tuonela is owned by his trainer, Dean Lockhart and Brady Doyle. He was bred by Russell Williams.
Red Mile races on a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday schedule with a 1 p.m. EDT post time through Oct. 8. Free program pages are available at the Red Mile website in addition to race replays and a daily livestream of each card.
(With files from Red Mile)