Rookies reconvene in Kentucky Sire Stakes

OAK GROVE, KY — First-round winners Lupin K (Six Pack-Destiny K S), Highway Queen (American Ideal-Onemorefortheroad) and Arson (Captaintreacherous) lead the 22 rookies slated to compete in their respective $25,000 second-round Kentucky Sire Stakes harness racing events on Sunday (June 25) at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel, but some new arrivals to the series promise to pose significant threats, as well.

The 2-year-old colt trot, carded as the first of nine races on the program, shapes up as a likely rematch between Lupin K, who rode the pocket to a 9-1 upset on June 12, and Pick Pocket (Walner-Can’t Have My Moni), who overcame road trouble and rallied to miss by a neck as the 3-5 favorite. Pick Pocket, who retains the driving services of Anthony MacDonald for trainer Eric Patalan, was made the 6-5 morning line choice from the pole over 8-5 second choice Lupin K, a gelding whom Andy Miller will drive from the outside post in the field of five for trainer Don Campbell.

Neither of the top two finishers in the first round of the 2-year-old filly trot return in the second round (race two), but Readly Success (Andy Miller, post one, 7-5), who finished third in 1:59.1 in her career debut, will face a pair of precocious first-time starters in Allegiant and Miss Dior.

Allegiant, a daughter of Tactical Landing-Too Good For You trained and driven by Vernon Beachy, is the 2-1 second choice from post two after winning a June 13 qualifier at The Meadows by 20-3/4 lengths in 1:58.2. Miss Dior’s (Six Pack-Sweet Thing) lone qualifier, on June 10 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, was over two full second slower, but the Jay Hochstetler-trained filly equaled Allegiant’s :28.3 closing speed and similarly won by a widening 15-1/4 lengths. Verlin Yoder will drive the 4-1 third choice from post three in the field of five.

All five fillies who participated in the first round of their series return in Sunday’s fourth race, with Highway Queen — one of three Tony Dinges trainees in the field — stamped the early even-money favorite after rallying to defeat stablemates Fearless Bettor and Barefoot Belle in the first round. Joey Putnam retains the drive on Highway Queen, who will start from post two, after her 1:55.4 first-leg win. The other Dinges trainees, Fearless Bettor (Atlee Bender, 7-2) and Barefoot Belle (John MacDonald, 5-2), will start from posts four and five, respectively.

The quartet of stakes concludes with the 2-year-old colt pace, carded as race six. Arson and Tua Many Captains, the top two finishers in the first round, are the top two morning line choices, at 2-1 and 5-2, respectively. Arson, whom Anthony MacDonald will again drive for Eric Patalan, will start from post two in the field of seven after using a :27 closing kick to rally out of midfield and defeat pacesetter Tua Many Captains, again slated to be driven by Andy Miller, by 1-3/4 lengths.

Joining them is newcomer Snap Count (Betting Line-Tessa Hanover, John MacDonald, post four, 4-1), who won his June 14 qualifier at Magical Acres, in New Jersey, in 1:59.1 by way of a first-over push through a quickening final three-eighths of the mile. Paula Wellwood trains him.

As many as the top eight point earners in each division will be eligible to compete in the $100,000 series finals on July 4.

First post for Sunday’s program at Oak Grove is 3 p.m. CDT (4 p.m. EDT). For more information, including free handicapping resources, visit here.

From Oak Grove Racing