Lexington, KY - Grand Circuit racing resumes on Friday at The Red Mile
with no fewer than eight two-year-old stakes on the eleven race card. The
$382,600 International Stallion Stakes (INSS) for colt trotters drew five
divisions while the $253,000 filly pace split three ways.
The pacing fillies open the Friday matinee card in races one,
three and five with the middle division looking the toughest on paper. That
split features the Red Mile debut of undefeated World Champ JK She’salady for
owner/breeders the 3 Brothers Stable of New York.
The Art Major filly from Presidential Lady has been just vicious
thus far in her seven race career putting a few withering moves on the
competition at Mohawk including the record-equaling 1:50.1 mile in the $441,600
She’s A Great Lady final. Her most recent was an easy score in a division of
the Kentuckiana stakes at Hoosier Park.
Trained in the Nancy Johansson barn and driven by Yannick Gingras,
JK She’salady will find a pretty talented field waiting for her on Friday.
Chief among the competition is the speedy Bettor Be Steppin, who
won the other Kentuckiana split and further impressed last week here in
Lexington with a forwardly placed 1:52 win, closing it out with a 26.3 final
quarter under no pressure. She races for the Val D’Or Farms, Rojan Stables and
Ted Gewertz and is trained by Joe Holloway, who has long had a “way with the
ladies”.
The accomplished Bedroomconfessions also caught this division as
did Hilary’s Style and Heavenly Bride, both coming off excellent races in week
one of the meet.
Two of the Bluegrass division winners from last week will meet in
a division of the INSS carded as the day’s tenth race. The Bank and Southwind
Stryker square off for the top prize in the $76,100 contest. Both colts trotted
in 1:53.4 in their respective Bluegrass start and both used a stalking trip to
get the job done.
The Bank has a slight post advantage beginning from post two for
trainer/driver Jimmy Takter. He rolled up second over, closing in 28 flat to
win by a half-length. Bred by part owner Goran Falk he races for Falk and
Christina Takter and has made just shy of $65,000 thus far.
Southwind Stryker (Muscle Hill x Soxeelady) was a winner for the
very first time in the Bluegrass mile but is just shy of the $100,000 mark in
earnings for the partnership of Millard, Van Camp, Taylor and trainer Brad
Maxwell who gave $40,000 for him at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale last
fall. Driver Tim Tetrick gave him a good trip then said good things about the
colt last week and has the return engagement this Friday.
It is by no means a two horse races as Haughton winner Centurion
ATM and the highest priced yearling of 2013 Whom Shall I Fear (Father Patrick’s
little brother) are also a part of the talented field.
Friday post time is 1:00pm.
