Put On A Show remained unbeaten in six lifetime starts as the 2-5 choice captured the first of three $126,300 divisions of the Bluegrass for two-year-old
pacing fillies today (Wednesday) at the Red Mile.
Driver Jody Jamieson left unhurried from the seven hole while Ultimate Best (Andy Miller) was on point for the :26.4 opener. From third, Brian Sears hustled Ready To Rocknroll to the lead, cleared just before the :55.2 half but was under attack from Casino Nights (Tim Tetrick). That filly was on top at the 1:24.1 three-quarters as favoured Put On a Show sat second over behind Siri Hanover (Ron Pierce).
At the head of the lane, Jamieson tipped Put On A Show out three-wide and the Shes A Great Lady champ powered to the lead under careful Jamieson handling as the precocious filly was drifting in. With a game Siri Hanover digging in, Put On A Show hit the wire a quarter-length the best in 1:51.4 - a new lifetime mark and co-fastest for a freshman filly this year.
"It's great to have a filly six for six, all in stake races too," remarked trainer Chris Ryder. "Most of the time she was one of the top fillies in my barn training down, maybe number two. But she's certainly the top one now."
When asked if there was any concern about the drifting in down the stretch, Ryder stated "I've been reluctant to make changes so far but I talked to Jody [Jamieson] and we might have to change something on her now."
Put On A Show (Rocknroll Hanover - Steinams Place) is owned by Richard Young of Coconut Creek, Florida and first-time owner Craig Henderson of Chicago, Illinois.
Favourites delivered again in the second division with Higher And Higher delivering on her 1-5 odds. As the wings of the gate folded, Skinny Dip (John Campbell) and Artcam (TimTetrick) surged for the lead from the outside of the field, with Skinny Dip making the front in :29. Palone sensed the pace was slowing and moved Higher And Higher from third to the top, clearing easily and reaching the half in :58. Artcam was flushed from third down the backstretch and came first up through the 1:27.2 third panel, and off those fractions the favourite was able to sprint away with a :26.2 closer under wraps hitting the wire in 1:53.4. Skinny Dip held off Artcam for third.
"I had a bit of a steering issue in the last turn," commented Palone after the win. "This is the third time I've been behind her and she's been that way every time, but she's got lots of go.
"I'm happy with her effort and I can't wait to get her to go straight. I think she's as good as any filly here today."
In five starts, Higher And Higher (Western Terror - Pro Bowl Best) has three wins and over $275,000 in earnings for Bulletproof Enterprises of Boca Raton, Florida.
The third and final division again went to the public choice as even money You See L A scored in 1:52.4
Andy Miller had Rock N Soul out early and on top by the first turn but yielded to One Last Kiss (Ron Pierce) past the :26.4 opener. You See L A (Mike LaChance) then attacked the leader, pulling from third and taking command as the half-mile was reached in :54.4. David Miller had Sweetheart champ Western Moonlight up and after You See L A and those two fillies engaged in a tussle to the 1:23.2 third split, with You See L A repelling the challenger and opening up some daylight in the stretch.
A late bid loomed on the outside from Cool Jazz (John Campbell) but that filly was rank in the stretch and had issues steering and staying on stride, hampering her momentum and allowing You See L A to trip the timer in 1:52.4. Campbell managed to keep Cool Jazz composed for second with show honours to One Last Kiss.
Along with C S X Stables of Liberty Center, Ohio and Al McIntosh Holdings Inc. of Leamington, Ont., Bob McIntosh owns and trains the homebred daughter of The Panderosa - Los Angeles, who has won four of nine starts good for nearly $190,000 in earnings.
Grand Circuit harness racing action continues at The Red Mile tomorrow with Bluegrass divisions for two-year-old trotting colts.