Kentucky-breds battle in eight $50,000 finals

The Red Mile in Kentucky was back in action on Saturday (July 23) with eight $50,000 legs of the Kentucky Proud Series for two and three-year-old harness racing trotters and pacers.

All eight of the races were held starting at 11:00 as non-wagering events. The winner of each of the eight finals set personal lifetime marks.

The first race for two-year-old trotting fillies saw Allsummerlong AS (Triumphant Caviar) and driver Elliott Deaton take the early lead away from Douce France, who was off-stride, after the opening quarter mile and then wire the field by four and one-half lengths in 1:57.4, last quarter mile in :28.4.

Southern Patricia (Trace Tetrick) was second with Coffee N’ Donats (Charles Conrad) third. It was the fourth straight win and a lifetime mark for Allsummerlong AS. She is trained by Anette Lorentzon for owner-breeder ACL Stuteri of Kentucky.

Trainer, owner and breeder Anette Lorentzon was victorious again in the 2^nd race final for two-year-old colt pacer as her Special Dragon (Fear The Dragon) was able to come first-over in the backstretch for driver Elliott Deaton, taking the lead at the top of the stretch and winning by two lengths in 1:54.1.

Glimpse of Victory (S. Bernard Demas) had cut the mile from the start but faded after the three-quarters. Folsom Prison (Trace Tetrick) was second with Sandcastle (Charles Conrad) third.

For Special Dragon it was his fifth straight win in six lifetime starts and the final was a lifetime mark.

The 3^rd race final for two-year-old pacing fillies saw Captain Carmella and driver Kevin Wallis fly out of the starting gate and led the field by six lengths at the quarter and eight lengths at the half mile before Sugar Britches (All Bets Off) and driver John MacDonald come first-over, catching the pacesetter after the three-quarters and taking the lead.

With plenty of momentum, Sugar Britches and MacDonald tore away from the field to win in a romp by six and one-quarter lengths in 1:53.3. Modern Day (Trace Tetrick) was second with Sassyfrass (Randal Jerrell) third.

Trained by Ryan Miller, it was the fourth win this year for Sugar Britches and a lifetime mark. She was bred and is co-owned by Ronald Mersky with the Miller Racing Stable, Inc.

The 4^th race featured the final for two-year-old trotting colts and wiring the field with ease was Talent Scout (Swan For All) and driver Clint Coy.

Leaving from post eight, Coy sent Talent Scout right to the lead and they held the rest of the field at bay, winning by two and three-quarter lengths in 1:57. Cashamigos (Kevin Wallis) was second with Mobato AS (Christian Lind) third.

It was the fourth victory so far in the young career of Talent Scout and the 1:57 clocking was a lifetime mark. He is trained by Doug Rideout for co-owners Julie Rideout, Alan White and Dave Gamble.

The three-year-olds got underway starting in the 5^th race with the final for pacing fillies.

Msdinosis Blugrass (Todd Warren) cut nearly the entire mile, giving an excellent two-hole trip to Top Honors (Always A Virgin) and driver Elliott Deaton. They were able to collar Msdinosis Blugrass in the stretch to win by a half of a length in 1:51.2. Lookatmyrapsheet (Charles Conrad) was third.

It was the maiden win this year in nine starts for Top Honors and a lifetime mark. She is trained by Randal Jerrell for breeder Walter Fister, who co-owns the filly with Greg McDonald.

Next up in the 6^th race was the final for three-year-old trotting colts. After getting away in fifth place by the opening quarter, driver Kevin Wallis sent Just For Trix (Trixton) to the front and they never had to look back, winning by two lengths in 1:53.3.

Black Hope (Nicolas Roussel) was second with Good Feeln To Know (Louis Baudron) third. It was the second win this season for Just For Trix and a lifetime mark. She is trained by Mike Murphy for owners James Wilson and Teri Jenkins.

In the 7^th race final for three-year-old filly trotters, Wyndscape (Muscle Hill) and driver Nicolas Roussel were able to leave from post nine and secure inside position as Cotton Candy Cutie (Kevin Wallis) cut the mile.

Saffron Gal and driver Randy Crisler came first-over against Cotton Candy Cutie and then in the stretch, Roussel found clearance for Wyndscape, who closed with a :27.4 last quarter to win by one and one-half lengths in 1:54.4. Saffron Gal was second with Cotton Candy Cutie third.

It was the third straight win, the fourth victory in just five starts this year for Wyndscape and it was a lifetime mark. Roussel is also the trainer of the filly that is owned by Reve Avec Moi Dreamwithme of Ontario.

The 8^th and final final of the day was for three-year-old colt pacers and Pd’s Gabriel (Always B Miki) with driver Kevin Wallis was able to withstand a battle for control of the lead with pacesetter Rockytop Oh Oh (Tyler Shehan) to take the final in 1:52.2.

Dandy’s Sushi (Devon Tharps) found three-wide cover from ninth place at the three-quarters and closed to be second to Pd’s Gabriel by one and one-quarter lengths. Third went to Ovanight Celebrity and driver Christian Lind.

The victory was a lifetime mark, the third straight win and fourth of the season for Pd’s Gabriel. He is trained by Wayne Oke for owners A Piece Of The Action, LLC.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink