Daytime Grand Circuit
racing returns to The Red Mile on Thursday, October 3 with post time set for
1:00pm, as will be the case through the balance of the meet.
Three
divisions of the $266,500 International Stallion Stakes for two year old trotting
fillies are the Thursday feature, with two of the three winners returning
from last week's Bluegrass tests.
Struck
By Lindy took a record of 1:53.1 here at The Red Mile last week and returns in
race five on Thursday for her connections. From the impressive first crop of
Explosive Matter, she has won half of her eight career starts and amassed over
$160,000 this season for owners Mel Hartman, RAW Equine, Inc. and Adam Victor
& Son Stable. Dave Miller is listed to drive for trainer R.
"Nifty" Norman.
Chivaree
Hanover is also looking to complete the "Lexington Double" by winning
on both weeks of the Grand Circuit stand in Kentucky. She is from Muscle Hill's
first crop and has exhibited both speed and consistency over the course of her
young racing career for owner / trainer Gregg McNair. She has won three times
in six outings and earned a 1:56.3 mark to go along with her rapidly escalating
bankroll of $92,113. Doug McNair is back in town to drive the family horse in
the tenth and final race of the day.
In
between those two, race nine appears to be a handicapping puzzle, with several
promising fillies looking to make their mark while in Lexington. Heaven's
Door has blazing speed and impressed many with her Merrie Annabelle elimination
effort where she finished third after an early break.
Trainer
Ross Croghan gave her time to collect herself after The Meadowlands meet and
spoke of her eccentricities in an interview last week. She responded with
another strong effort, putting up some pretty fancy numbers on the lead for
driver John Campbell and holding sway for the place behind Struck By Lindy, who
sat the pocket and sailed by for the win. Heaven's Door was timed in 1:54.1
there and if John is able to settle the Muscle Hill filly into slightly less
frenetic fractions she could get her first win for Let It Ride Stable, Robert
Cooper and J & T Silva Stables.
The
Grand Circuit meet continues with matinee racing at 1:00pm through Sunday,
culminating with the Kentucky Futurity on closing day. Visit The
Red Mile website for further details. Clubhouse dining reservations
may be made by calling (859) 233-0814.
The
Lexington Selected Yearling Sale starts on
Tuesday evening at 7:00pm and the catalog is brimming with potential winners.
