Both Lantern Kronos and One Tough Lass delivered as the public choices in the elimination heats for the 44th Kentucky Filly Futurity today at the Red Mile.
In the $61,740 first division of the Kentucky Filly Futurity, trainer-driver Jimmy Takter floated Lantern Kronos out from Post 7 and allowed Diana Hall (Ron Pierce) to lead the field to the opening quarter in :28 before clearing to the lead around the three-eighths marker. From there, Lantern Kronos carved out splits of :57 and 1:26 before opening up daylight on the field at the head of the lane and hitting the wire comfortably in 1:54.4.
Bella Dolce (Paul MacDonell) was a hard-closing second, just edging out Diana Hall. Poster Pin Up (Eric Goddell) and No Pain No Gain (David Miller) also qualified for the second heat.
Now 12-for-15 on the year, Lantern Kronos is owned by Falkbolagen Ab. After the race, Takter indicated that he wasn't sure if Lantern Kronos would race in the second heat.
The second division of the Filly Futurity went to One Tough Lass and driver Tim tetrick, who tipped off cover at the top of the stretch closed with a furious late kick to also hit the wire in 1:54.4. Longshot Epangeline (Mike Lachance) nipped pacestter Classic Lane (Dave Miller) for second, with Morguns Sweetheart (Goodell) and Creamy Mimi (Andy Miller) also advancing to the $150,920 second heat.
Ross Croghan trains One Tough Lass for Jon Erdner of Canonsburg, Penn., and Bill Neumeister of Bakersfield, Ca.