$616,100 on the line in International Stallion Stakes

LEXINGTON, KY— The Red Mile will host the last of its harness racing stakes contests this meet for freshmen on Saturday (Oct. 8) with trotting fillies competing in three divisions of the $317,700 International Stallion Stakes and pacing colts and geldings going in three divisions of the $299,100 Tall Dark Stranger International Stallion Stakes.

First for the freshman trotting fillies is the $105,900 Long Tom International Stallion Stake, carded as Race 2. A pair of Bluegrass winners return to Lexington in this split with Mambacita (Tactical Landing) drawing post 8 off a 1:53.2 victory and Railee Something scoring post 4 following a 16-1 upset. David Miller opts to steer Mambacita for trainer Tony Alagna while Railee Something (International Moni) acquires the duties of Todd McCarthy.

Division two, going as Race 6 and named The International Moni, sees Walner Payton (Walner) escape the grips of standout filly Special Way. Dexter Dunn will drive the Chris Ryder trainee from post 7 as she tries for her first win since taking the New Jersey Sires Stakes final on July 22. This field also includes the third- and fourth-place finishers against Special Way, Secret Volo (by Walner, starting from post 2) and Royal Filly (Chapter Seven, post 4) respectively, as well as a developing filly for trainer Bob Stewart in Fruit Cake (Tactical Landing, post 1).

Trotting fillies finish their engagements in Race 8, named The Walner. Kentuckiana winner Heart On Fire (Father Patrick) will attempt to make amends off a levelled finish in the Bluegrass last week with Dexter Dunn staying in the bike behind the Tony Alagna pupil from post 1. She starts just two slots inside of Kayleigh S (Chapter Seven), a Marcus Melander pupil and full sister to Joviality S. Brian Sears sits behind her in the bike.

The Tall Dark Stranger International Stallion Stakes begin in Race 3 with Chris Ryder’s speed freak Handlelikeaporsche (Lazarus N) returning off a 1:50.2 blowout in the Bluegrass. Dexter Dunn drives the colt from post 5 in the nine-horse contest that includes Metro Pace finalist Ants Marching (Downbytheseaside, post 6).

Another Metro Pace finalist, second-place finisher Save America (Captaintreacherous), ships south to start in the second division of the Tall Dark Stranger. Yannick Gingras drives the Nancy Takter trainee from post 4 and opts off his Ron Burke-trained charge Ervin Hanover (Captaintreacherous), who now attains David Miller from post 8.

Bluegrass division winner Admiral Hill (Sweet Lou) competes in the final division of the Tall Dark Stranger. Dexter Dunn drives the Chris Ryder trainee fresh from a 1:50.4 win over the red clay against a field which includes developing Joe Holloway prospect Ammo (Sweet Lou, post 1), Kentucky Commonwealth runner-up Combustion (Captaintreacherous, post 3) and second-place Bluegrass finisher Gung Ho (Captaintreacherous, post 5).

Each division of the International Stallion Stake for freshman trotting fillies is sponsored by its respective stallion syndicate, with the Long Tom also presented by Midland Acres and the International Moni by Hanover Shoe Farm. The Tall Dark Stranger International Stallion Stakes are presented by the Tall Dark Stranger Syndicate and Hanover Shoe Farm.

First-race post time is 1 p.m. (EDT).

For complete race entries, click here.

by Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile