Grand Circuit racing at the Red Mile will resume Friday (October 3) with no fewer than eight two-year-old stakes on the 11-race card. The $382,600 International Stallion Stakes for colt trotters drew five divisions, while the $253,000 filly pace split three ways.
The pacing fillies open the Friday matinee card in Race 1, 3 and 5 with the middle division looking the toughest on paper. That split features the Red Mile debut of undefeated World Champ JK Shesalady for breeder/owner the 3 Brothers Stable of New York.
The Art Major filly from Presidential Lady has been just vicious thus far in her seven-race career, as she put a few withering moves on the competition at Mohawk Racetrack, including the record-equalling 1:50.1 mile in the $441,600 Shes A Great Lady final. Her most recent test was an easy score in a division of the Kentuckiana Stakes at Hoosier Park.
Trained in the Nancy Johansson barn and driven by Yannick Gingras, JK Shesalady will find a pretty talented field waiting for her on Friday.
Chief among the competition is the speedy Bettor Be Steppin, who won the other Kentuckiana split and further impressed last week in Lexington with a forwardly-placed 1:52 win. She closed out that victory with a :26.3 final quarter under no pressure. She races for the Val D’Or Farms, Rojan Stables and Ted Gewertz, and is trained by Joe Holloway.
The accomplished Bedroomconfessions also caught the division, as did Hilarys Style and Heavenly Bride, both of whom are coming in off of excellent races in Week One of the meet.
Two of the Bluegrass division winners from last week will meet in a division of the International Stallion Stakes, which has been carded as the day’s tenth race. The Bank and Southwind Stryker will square off for the top prize in the $76,100 contest. Both colts trotted in 1:53.4 in their respective Bluegrass start and both used a stalking trip to get the job done.
The Bank has a slight post advantage, as he will start from Post 2 for trainer/driver Jimmy Takter. Bred by part-owner Goran Falk, The Bank races for Falk and Christina Takter and has made just shy of $65,000 thus far.
Southwind Stryker (Muscle Hill-Soxeelady) was a winner for the very first time in his Bluegrass mile, but is just shy of the $100,000 mark in earnings for the partnership of Millard, Van Camp, Taylor and trainer Brad Maxwell, who gave $40,000 for him at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale last fall. Driver Tim Tetrick gave him a good trip and then said good things about the colt last week. Tetrick has the return engagement this Friday.
It is by no means a two-horse race, as Haughton winner Centurion ATM and the highest priced yearling of 2013, Whom Shall I Fear (Father Patrick’s little brother), are also a part of the talented field.
First-race post time on Friday is 1 p.m.
(With files from the Red Mile)