Cattlewash wasted no time adding his name to the world record book on Sunday (Oct. 4) at the Red Mile, as he joined his sire, Somebeachsomewhere, in the three-year-old pacing colt category with a smoking 1:46.4 victory.
Cattlewash's performance was part of a stakes-packed program from the hallowed Lexington course. A total of 12 Bluegrass divisions for three-year-olds of both sexes and gaits accounted for the majority of Sunday's 15-race docket. The Bluegrass splits were slotted as the first 12 races on the card.
David Miller and Cattlewash left from Post 6 in their Bluegrass division (Race 1) and yielded early for a two-hole ride through the fractions (:27, :53.3, 1:20.3), which were cut by the Joe Bongiorno-driven Captain Kirk.
Cattlewash was up for the task when Miller called on him. Miller pulled the pocket as the field turned for home, and Cattlewash was fresh as could be. The Ron Burke trainee rocketed home and nailed the wire in 1:46.4. Captain Kirk held on for second and the Todd McCarthy-driven Save Me A Dance finished third.
Cattlewash, pictured at the wire at the Red Mile during his world record Bluegrass mile.
Courtesy of the 1:46.4 clocking, Cattlewash joins Somebeachsomewhere and Hes Watching as the fastest three-year-old pacing colts in the history of harness racing.
With the win, Cattlewash pushed his seasonal record to 3-3-2 and $239,711 in purses from 10 starts. In terms of his career, Cattlewash has now accrued a record of 7-6-6 from 23 starts and has banked $572,912. Cattlewash is owned by W. J. Donovan, of Monument Beach, MA.
A total of three Bluegrass divisions for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings helped fill the docket. In addition to Cattlewash's world record performance, Tall Dark Stranger continued to roll, as he fought to a 1:48.3 victory in his division for driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Nancy Takter. The Canadian-connected Warrawee Vital found daylight late and fired up the inside to win his division in 1:47.1 for driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Rob Fellows. To read the Red Mile recap of all of Sunday's Bluegrass divisions for the three-year-old pacing colts and geldings, which includes post-race quotes and further analysis, click here.
PERFECT PARTY GIRL HILL POWERFUL, YET AGAIN
Party Girl, pictured at the wire during her strong Bluegrass performance.
In Race 7, Party Girl Hill extended her career unbeaten streak to 12 for trainer Chris Ryder and driver Dexter Dunn. The daughter of Captaintreacherous made the lead in the vicinity of the :54.4 half and went on to nail the wire in a life's-best 1:48. Party Girl Hill is owned by her breeder, Tom Hill, of Lancashire, England.
To read the Red Mile recap of all of Sunday's Bluegrass divisions for the three-year-old pacing fillies -- which includes post-race quotes and further analysis -- click here. In addition to Party Girl Hill, the winners included Peaky Sneaky (1:49.1) and JK First Lady (1:49.2).
ABSATTITUDEXPRESS DOWNS RAMONA HILL
Absattitudexpress, pictured defeating Ramona Hill in the Bluegrass.
A total of three Bluegrass divisions for three-year-old trotting fillies were also on tap throughout the afternoon. After splits were won by Next Level Stuff (1:51.3) and Sorella (1:51.1), the Lucas Wallin-trained and Tim Tetrick-driven Absattitudexpress closed late and defeated 2020 Hambletonian winner Ramona Hill in 1:51.4.
To read the Red Mile recap of all of Sunday's Bluegrass divisions for the three-year-old trotting fillies, which includes further analysis, click here.
ITS ACADEMIC REMAINS SHARP
Its Academic, pictured in victory in the Bluegrass.
A trio of divisions for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings also took to the track on Sunday, and it was Gangster Hanover, Back Of The Neck, and Its Academic that prevailed in their respective assignments. The fastest of the divisions was won by Its Academic, who got the job done in 1:50.3 for driver Chris Page and trainer Ron Burke.
To read the Red Mile recap of all three of the divisions, click here.
With Tall Dark Stranger's
With Tall Dark Stranger's win, coupled with Ramona Hill's unexpected loss, I expect TDS to vault past her to first place in this week's Top Ten Poll. With wins in 4 more races: The Tattersalls, next Sunday, The Breeders Crown, on 10/31, and The Matron and The Progress Pace, next month, TDS should wrap up 2020 HOTY honors. It's a shame that he won't be back to race next year as a 4yo.