Daytime Grand Circuit racing returns to the Red Mile on Thursday, October 3 with first-race post time set for 1:00 p.m., as will be the case through the balance of the meet.
Three divisions of the $266,500 International Stallion Stakes for two-year-old trotting fillies are the Thursday feature, with two of the three winners returning from last week's Bluegrass tests.
Struck By Lindy took a record of 1:53.1 at the Red Mile last week and will return in Race 5 on Thursday for her connections. From the impressive first crop of Explosive Matter, she has won half of her eight career starts and amassed over $160,000 this season for owners Mel Hartman, RAW Equine, Inc. and Adam Victor & Son Stable. David Miller is listed to drive for trainer Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman.
Chivaree Hanover is also looking to complete the ‘Lexington Double’ by winning on both weeks of the Grand Circuit stand in Kentucky. She is from Muscle Hill's first crop and has exhibited both speed and consistency over the course of her young racing career for owner / trainer Gregg McNair. She has won three times in six outings and earned a 1:56.3 mark to go along with her rapidly escalating bankroll of $92,113. Doug McNair is back in town to drive the family horse in the tenth and final race of the day.
In between those two, Race 9 appears to be a handicapping puzzle, with several promising fillies looking to make their mark while in Lexington. Heavens Door has blazing speed and impressed many with her Merrie Annabelle elimination effort where she finished third after an early break.
Trainer Ross Croghan gave her time to collect herself after the Meadowlands meet and spoke of her eccentricities in an interview last week. She responded with another strong effort, putting up some pretty fancy numbers on the lead for driver John Campbell and holding sway for the place behind Struck By Lindy, who sat the pocket and sailed by for the win. Heavens Door was timed in 1:54.1 and if Campbell is able to settle the Muscle Hill filly into slightly less frenetic fractions she could get her first win for Let It Ride Stable, Robert Cooper and J & T Silva Stables.
The Grand Circuit meet continues with matinee racing at 1:00 p.m. through Sunday, culminating with the Kentucky Futurity on closing day. Visit the Red Mile’s website for further details. Clubhouse dining reservations may be made by calling 859-233-0814.
The Lexington Selected Yearling Sale starts on Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. and the catalogue is brimming with potential winners.
(The Red Mile)