Trixton mare perfect through four in KY-bred Series

Oak Grove, KY — On Tuesday (June 12) Beltassima (Trixton-Beltane Hanover) and Andrew McCarthy never had an anxious moment as the prohibitive harness racing favorite splashed home in the $50,000 fourth leg of the 4-year-old series at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel for trotting mares. The other three divisions for Kentucky-breds were also captured by the public’s post time choice.

Beltassima entered this contest with an unblemished three-for-three record this season and established she has a fondness for the Bluegrass by collecting her fourth consecutive triumph. The mare assumed command from her rail position in the beginning of the mile with second choice Awesome Trix and Tony Hall in second. The order remained the same at the finish line with Jazzy Jules and Christian Lind in third.

Trained by Tony Alagna and owned by Crawford Farms, Beltassima is now 25-11-4-2 and has earned $422,947. The mare paid $2.20 to win and stopped the clock in 1:55.1 over a rain-soaked track.

Blue Diamond Eyes (Captaintreacherous-Aria Hanover) provided Yannick Gingras with his first of three victories on the card when the mare powered home in 1:50.4 in the division for pacing mares. The was the fourth consecutive triumph for the Kentucky champion after a slow start to begin her season. High Minded and Kevin Wallis were second with Classicist and Andrew McCarthy in third.

Trained by Ron Burke, Blue Diamond Eyes now sports a resume of 39-15-7-5 and has banked $1.25 million for owners Thomas and Scott Dillon. The mare paid $2.10 to her supporters and like Beltassima has won all four legs of this series.

Kentucky champion Goldie’s Legacy (Always A Virgin-Ag-n-au Bluegrass) collected his third win of the series. Steered by Gingras, Goldie’s Legacy took lead before the half-mile pole and never relinquished it in the division for male pacers. Komodo Beach and Andrew McCarthy finished second with Caviart Lotus and Tony Hall in Third.

Trained by Jeff Cullipher, Goldie’s Legacy now has earned $464,910 for co-owners Pollack Racing and his trainer. The gelding’s record stands at 47-16-4-2. He paid $3.40 to win as the heavy favorite and was timed in 1:50.

Kildare King (Trixton-Exclusivity) and Gingras won the division for male trotters over Jula Muscle Pack and A. McCarthy in 1:52. Flemsteen and Joey Putnam were third in the race that was conducted as a non-wagering event prior to the pari-mutuel card.

Trained by Chris Beaver, Kildare King left the gate in front and remained there until the wire. The gelding collected his third consecutive win and third in this series. His record now stands at 32-9-4-3 and he has amassed $187,725 in purse money.

Kildare King competes as a homebred for Robert Goodman.

The $150,000 series final is scheduled for July 19. The top eight point-earners in each division will be guaranteed a spot in the starting gate.

To review point standings for this series please click here.

Racing at Oak Grove is conducted on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday with a post time of 3 p.m. CST. Oak Grove will also host the $20,000 consolations and $100,000 finals for the early sire stakes for freshman and sophomores on July 17. For more information on Kentucky’s Standardbred programs and updated point standings for sire stakes and other series events, please click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Kimberly French, for the Kentucky Harness Association