Beltassima battles for Kentucky Championship score

LEXINGTON, KY— Driver Andrew McCarthy took authority with Beltassima through a swift tempo and survived a leg-weary final quarter to take the $40,000 opening round of the Kentucky Championship Series for 3-year-old trotting fillies on Sunday (Aug. 8) at The Red Mile.

Adirondack forged to the lead from post 9 with Ineffable yielding for the pocket to a :27.4 first quarter. McCarthy floated the 3-5 choice into fourth moving for the backstretch but was quick to pull off the pegs and blitz the leader towards a :55.2 half.

Beltassima successfully grabbed the lead heading for the final turn while Empressive Hill, parked from the start from post 10, pressed forward uncovered before tiring and breaking stride before three-quarters. Passing the third station in 1:22.4, Beltassima ground through the crawl for home chased by a fresh-legged Adirondack, who loomed closer coming to the final eighth. However Beltassima dug in to the line to win by a half length in 1:52 over Adirondack, with Argyle closing for third and Ineffable holding fourth.

Owned by Crawford Farms Racing, Beltassima has won four races from eight starts this season and six from 15 overall, earning $235,647. Tony Alagna trains the daughter of Trixton who paid $3.40 to win.

Kildare King claimed the $40,000 four-horse dash for the opening preliminary of the Kentucky Championship 3-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Trot at the start of the card. Driver Corey Callahan landed the Trixton gelding in third while Tangled Love set a clip of :28.2, :56.3 and 1:25.2 on the lead. Coming off the final turn, Callahan fanned Kildare King towards the center of the track and lunged after the lead late, sliding a neck in front of Tangled Love at the finish of a 1:53.2 mile. Uncle AJ gave chase up the inside for third while Rattle My Cage, who broke passing the quarter, finished a distant fourth.

Trained by Chris Beaver for owner Tom Crouch, Kildare King collected his second win from 11 starts and pushed his bankroll to $40,750. Chris Beaver conditions the $7.60 winner.

Jula Muscle Pack ($6.00) led the pair of $20,000 Kentucky Commonwealth divisions of 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings with a 1:53.2 win for owner Jula Racing Inc., trainer Per Engblom and driver Andrew McCarthy. Speed Away ($28.20) upset narrowly in the final division to break his maiden in 1:54.3 for owner Consus Racing Stable Inc., trainer Jonas Czernyson and driver Corey Callahan.

Altar ($2.80) topped the winners of the $20,000 Kentucky Commonwealth for 3-year-old trotting fillies with a 1:51.2 win for owner Diamond Creek Racing, trainer Nancy Takter and driver Dexter Dunn. Material Girl ($2.60) romped in the other division with a 12-1/4 length score in 1:52 for owner Oakwood Farms, trainer Lucas Wallin and driver Dexter Dunn.

Racing resumes at The Red Mile on Monday (Aug. 9) with a 10-race card, while stakes return to Lexington on Tuesday (Aug. 10) with the first round of the Kentucky Championship Series for pacing sophomores. First-race post time both days is at 1 p.m. (EDT).

For full race results, click here.

by Ray Cotolo, for the Red Mile