Bluegrass no problem for Hambo winner

LEXINGTON, Ky.— Off a tough-luck trip in the Kentucky Sires Stakes final, Hambletonian winner Tactical Approach (Tactical Landing) left nothing to chance and forged a front-stepping harness racing victory under minimal encouragement to clock a 1:50.1 mile in the second of three divisions for the $234,000 Greenshoe Bluegrass Stakes, for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings, on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 30) at The Red Mile.

Leaving from post 7, Tactical Approach landed on the lead to a :28 first quarter with French Wine sitting in the pocket. He strolled up the backside to a :56.1 half and accelerated through the far turn as Air Power pressed forward uncovered out of fifth and into third. By three-quarters in 1:23.3, Tactical Approach opened ground on his competition and crossed over the line 1-1/4 lengths better than French Wine giving pursuit in second. Air Power levelled off to finish third and his stablemate Crown took fourth.

“He felt great on the front today and when I asked him down the lane he responded,” winning driver Scott Zeron said after the race. “Andy’s horse [French Wine] is an even better horse when he pulls the shoes, and he had the shoes off today and he was a valiant contender. [Tactical Approach] has shown he can repeatedly do well if I have him in the right position; sometimes I’ve had him out of position. He’s honestly a driver’s dream. When he heads into the last turn, he tells you he wants to go.”

Tactical Approach has now won nine times from 19 starts and earned $788,989 for owners Robert LeBlanc, John Fielding, Joe Sbrocco and JAF Racing. Nancy Takter trains the colt who paid $3.40 to win.

TACTICAL APPROACH REPLAY

Hambletonian runner-up Oh Well (Muscle Hill) also found his way back to the winner’s circle once he launched off cover and stretched his legs to a 1:51.2 win in the third of the three Greenshoe splits.

Oh Well settled into fourth to a :27 first quarter uncorked by 72-1 shot Country Dagger, who maintained an honest tempo to a :55 half. Dire Straits angled first over as the leader started to tire to the final turn, which towed his stablemate Oh Well into action as the field stacked to three-quarters in 1:24.1.

Driver Tim Tetrick showed Oh Well open road off the bottom corner and spurted clear while Little Expensive found room off a pocket ride and followed suit for second, beaten two lengths. Spending Crazy, a 52-1 shot, rallied for third with Kierkegaard K finishing fourth.

“Oh Well has been great from the start,” trainer Marcus Melander said. “He made a lot of money last year and has been great this year as well. Too many seconds, but he’s been racing consistent and good all year. Hopefully we can get a big win here next week [in the Kentucky Futurity] or in the Breeders Crown.”

Oh Well adds to his millionaire status with $1,257,397 earned for owner S R F Stable. He won his seventh race from 19 starts and returned $2.60 to win.

OH WELL REPLAY

Trainer Marcus Melander opened the Greenshoe Bluegrass Stakes with a 1:50.3 win by his Chapter Seven pupil Kilmister early in the card.

Point Of Perfect carved a :27.3 first quarter before driver Brian Sears planted Kilmister on the lead in the backstretch. Once in front, Kilmister tripped a :55.2 half and 1:23.3 three-quarters while holding all late challengers at bay through the lane. Kilmister registered a 1-1/2-length win over Point Of Perfect, who shook out of the pocket and reclaimed second. Cecil Hanover closed for third and Brodeur grabbed fourth.

Kilmister collected his eighth win from 22 starts and has now earned $786,639 for owner Courant Inc. He paid $4.08 to win.

Each division of the Greenshoe Bluegrass Stakes was sponsored by the Greenshoe Syndicate and Hanover Shoe Farm.

KILMISTER REPLAY

Live racing resumes at The Red Mile next Friday (Oct. 6) with the International Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings and 2-year-old pacing fillies.

Horsepeople are reminded that week two of the Grand Circuit meet operates on a Friday-Sunday schedule, with closing day on Sunday (Oct. 8). The entry box for Friday’s card closes at 9 a.m. (EDT) on Tuesday (Oct. 3) and scratch time is Wednesday (Oct. 4) by 9:30 a.m. Contact the race office at 859-255-0752 for more information.

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

by Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile