The current point leader in both the filly and colt standings for the Kindergarten series will be racing over the Kentucky clay at the Red Mile on Thursday night.
No fewer than seven divisions will be contested, each for a $10,000 purse. Forty fillies made for a nice even four divisions of 10 starters. The colts’ races will feature a nine and two 10-horse fields in the Grand Circuit event.
Lady Clarabella sits atop the filly roster with 100 points as a result of her two-for-two record in the series. She won her division of Leg 2 at Tioga in 1:57.2 and rewarded her backers handsomely with a $45 mutuel payoff. She will start from Post 9 in the fourth race on Thursday at a generous 6-1 morning line prospect. Andy McCarthy is aboard for Randy Beeckman, who trains the Lear Jetta filly for breeder Paul Kinnear and his partner, Dreamland Farms.
Another homebred filly with a promising future is Allerage Star, who will open the series action as the 3-1 pick in Race 2. She’s won three of five this season, including a Kindergarten leg at the Meadowlands Racetrack, Tompkins-Geers and most recently Reynolds Grand Circuit stakes for owner/breeder Jeff Gural’s Little E, LLC and partners Jason Settlemoir, Dave Stolz and Art Geiger.
She’ll have the services of Scott Zeron in the sulky for conditioner Howie Okusko Jr. on Thursday.
The colt divisions are later in the card, and series leader French Laundry looks to continue his perfect Kindergarten record for trainer/driver Jimmy Takter in Race 10. French Laundry was a winner in the Champlain Stakes at Mohawk Racetrack in his last test, which came a mere five days after a series success at Tioga Downs.
The nicely-bred colt has now recovered over $95,000 of his $115, 000 yearling purchase price for Christina Takter, John and Jim Fielding, Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld.
He will encounter an interesting new shooter for the series in Indiana champ Airman Batten. The Swan For All colt has won seven of eight starts including three INSS finals and $161,500 for owners Paymaq Racing, Harvey Eisman and Greg Gillis.
Erv Miller is the trainer and regular pilot LeWayne Miller is in for the drive.
Those with Kindergarten eligibles are reminded that next week’s leg has been rescheduled for Thursday, September 18 and entries are due for that one on Monday morning. Check the condition sheet for details.
The fun starts at 7 p.m. in Lexington on Thursday.
(Red Mile)