$70,000 KYSS Finals held at Cumberland Run

Cumberland Run in Kentucky held two $70,000 Kentucky Sire Stakes Finals for two-year-old harness racing trotters on Monday, October 30.

The 3^rd race was the $70,000 final for two-year-old trotting fillies that saw a wild battle for control of the early lead.

Off the starting gate it was Chulita (Devon Tharps) go to the early lead and then give way on the outside to Summer Young (Andy Miller) at the quarter in :29. Meanwhile, 7-1 Local Honey (Walner) and driver Marvin Luna was following the outside flow of Summer Young in third on the outside and third over was race favorite Bonn (Peter Wrenn).

Then, from the back of the back where they were three-wide from the start came The Roxbury (David Miller) and they continued their three-wide charge, trying to blast by everyone but could not clear to the lead by the half mile marker in :58.3.

Summer Young would not allow The Roxbury to get the lead, but then came Local Honey and Luna and they cleared to the lead by the three-quarters in 1:28.2 with Stella Volo (Tony Hall) coming first-over and The Roxbury sitting in the two-hole.

By the top of the stretch, Summer Young had control of the tempo and went on to win by one length in 1:58. Stella Volo was second with The Roxbury third.

“This was the biggest win of my career,” Luna said. “I am very thankful for the opportunity.”

It was the second straight win and third of the season for Local Honey. She is trained by Tony Alagna for owner-breeder Brittany Farms and paid $16.34 to win.

Then in the 7^th race $70,000 KYSS Final for two-year-old trotting colts, driver Anthony MacDonald gave Memorynimagination (Father Patrick) a perfect second-over trip in upsetting Fly By (Andy Miller) in the stretch.

It was Fly By and Miller going to the early lead with Activation (Hunter Myers) sitting the two-hole trip to the opening quarter mile in :28.1. The field then raced single file to the half mile in a pedestrian :59.

Coming in the backstretch, Splendid (Charlie Norris) made a first-over bid with Memorynimagination and MacDonald following second-over as Splendid nearly collared Fly By at the three-quarters in 1:27.1.

By the top of the stretch, Memorynimagination moved into second place and was then able to wear down Fly By in the stretch to win by one length in 1:57.1. Fly By was second with Splendid third.

It was a lifetime mark for Memorynimagination and his second straight win, third victory of the season. He is trained by Eric Patalan for TheStable Memorynimagination and Hutchison Harness, paying $5.20 to win.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink