After just missing victory in a world record mile to Caviart Camden last week, Pebble Beach bounced back to best his foe in the $40,000 fourth preliminary of the Kentucky Championship on Tuesday (Sept. 6) at The Red Mile.
Pebble Beach landed in fifth to a :27.4 first quarter, sitting right behind Caviart Camden to the backstretch as River Ness backed into the field, causing Western Era to break stride. Wolftrax led the field to the backside before River Ness circled to the front from third approaching a :56.1 half. Silverstone tipped first-over moving to the final turn with Caviart Camden and Pebble Beach in tow while River Ness clicked three-quarters in 1:24.2.
The pair of favourites hustled by the field in the stretch, with Pebble Beach kicking quickest to the beam with a :26.2 final quarter to win by 2-1/2 lengths over Caviart Camden. Silverstone, finishing fourth behind River Ness, moved up to third via disqualification of River Ness for backing up and causing interference in the first turn.
Winning his fourth race from six starts, Pebble Beach has banked $84,800 for owners Patricia Stable, Joe Sbrocco, Country Club Acres Inc. and LA Express & JAF Racing. Todd McCarthy drove the Noel Daley-trained son of Downbytheseaside, who paid $3.60 to win.
Dont Fence Me In took the $40,000 division for two-year-old pacing fillies, contested as a non-betting race before the card, with a 1:52.3 mile. The Captaintreacherous filly led through fractions of :29.2, :57.3 and 1:25.2 before strolling to the finish in :27.1 to win by 1-1/4 lengths over Sloopy, with Captains Princess finishing another five lengths behind in third.
Owned by Riverview Racing LLC, Alagna Racing LLC, Steven Head and Jerry Glantz, Dont Fence Me In won her third race from six starts, earning $74,375. Dexter Dunn drove the Tony Alagna trainee.
Six Feet Apart ($3.00) swept to the lead up the backside and strolled to victory in the lone $20,000 Kentucky Commonwealth division for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings with a 1:52 mile in rein to David Miller for trainer Brian Brown.
Queen Of Success ($2.10) posted the quickest win of the two $20,000 Kentucky Commonwealth divisions for two-year-old pacing fillies with a 1:52.4 mile for driver Andy McCarthy and trainer Tony Alagna. Kentukylady ($13.20) went gate-to-wire in the other division with a 1:54 effort for driver Andy Miller and trainer Jack Gray Jr.
Point totals for both the Kentucky Championship and Kentucky Commonwealth Series are available at the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission website.
Racing resumes at The Red Mile on Tuesday (Sept. 7) with two $40,000 Kentucky Championship divisions for trotting sophomores: one for colts and geldings, and one for fillies. The card also features two $20,000 Kentucky Commonwealth divisions: one for colts and geldings, and one for fillies. First race post time is 1 p.m. (EDT).
(The Red Mile)