Trotting fillies shine in $160,000 KY Sire Stakes

Two-year-old harness racing trotting fillies competed in two $80,000 divisions of the opening round of the Kentucky Sire Stakes Monday (July 29) at the Red Mile in Lexington, KY.

Raced over a track labled good with a two second allowance by the Judges, the 6^th race first division saw 11-1 longshot Luna Lovegood (Gimpanzee) left from post eight for driver Dexter Dunn and wired the field.

With Divine Thing (David Miller) getting the two-hole trip by the opening quarter mile in :29, Luna Lovegood led to the half mile in :57.3 and the three-quarters in 1:27.2. Closing with a flurry from seventh place was Barclay (Ake Svanstedt), who was gaining on Luna Lovegood at the top of the stretch.

Then in a classic stretch drive by both horses, Luna Lovegood was able to hold off Barclay at the wire to win by a half a length in 1:55.4. Divine Thing was third.

LUNA LOVEGOOD REPLAY

It was the maiden start for Luna Lovegood, who is trained by Marcus Melander for Holly Lane Stud East and paid $25.08 to win.

The 15^th race second $80,000 division saw the same results as the first division as unbeaten Yo Tille (Tactical Landing) and trainer-driver Verlin Yoder left from post 8 and wired the field.

Mimosatomartini S (Mattias Melander) got the two-hole trip as Yo Tillie cut fractions of :28.1, :56.1 and then opened up on the field, leading by six lengths at the three-quarters in 1:25.1.

Yo Tillie continued to lead down the stretch, winning with ease by three and one-quarter lengths in 1:53.4. Race favorite Aperfect Annie (Todd McCarthy) was second with Stacking Green (Yannick Gingras) third.

YO TILLIE REPLAY

Owned by Verlin Yoder, it was the fifth straight win for the unbeaten filly who paid $6.46 to win.

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

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink