Lexington, KY
– Kentucky Sires Stakes (KYSS) leg #2 for the pacing 2-year-olds will be
raced over the clay oval at The Red Mile on Sunday, August 27. Two each of
fillies and colts comprise races 4-7 on the evening with each of the four
division carrying a purse of $30,000.
It's ladies first in the
fourth race where the Ohio-sired McArdle filly Pure Paradise (Tyler
Smith) is the slight morning line choice among a field of seven. She
closed from well back to be third in the faster division of leg #1 and has
drawn the rail this week. Brian Brown trains Pure Paradise for an ownership
group that includes Michael Robinson, Bob Mondillo, RBH Ventures and Joe
Sbrocco.
Making just her second
start is Belle, a Lindy Farms homebred by top sire Somebeachsomewhere who
made her pari-mutuel debut in leg one and was fourth in a dead-heat after an
overland trip from post nine. This time she starts from the three hole with
Dave Palone named to drive for trainer Frank Antonacci.
Both of the returning
winners drew into the second filly division where Band Stand (PP #4) is the
favorite off her convincing 1:51.4 win, her second win in as many starts. The
lightly raced daughter of A Rocknroll Dance advanced uncovered and strode home
confidently with Joe Bongiorno at the lines for trainer Tony Alagna and owner
Brad Grant.
The royally
bred Western Ideal filly Santa Rosa (PP #2) came from well back to
win her division in 1:53.4 for the potent combination of trainer Jimmy Takter
and driver Brett Miller to break her maiden for breeder -
owner Brittany Farms.
Making her first start
in the KYSS program is Charles (Cotton) and Julie Nash's Cuts Like A Knife.
Another A Rocknroll Dance first-cropper, she is a multiple winner in the PASS
program, the latest a 1:53 score at Pocono for trainer Bruce Saunders which precluded
her Kentucky visit. Trace Tetrick is down to drive.
Grand Teton (PP #9)
impressed with his in-hand 1:52.4 win for the Miller/Takter juggernaut last
week. Reserved off the pace early, he vaulted past rival in the stretch with a
powerful move that may have stamped him as the horse to beat in the
series. He’s also by A Rocknroll Dance and is a Diamond Creek homebred.
Decoy was the third
winner out of the four KYSS divisions last week for the combination of trainer
Takter and driver Miller and he is the odds-maker’s choice in the seventh race.
He also covered the course in 1:52.4, taking over before the half mile pole and
lasting by a diminishing neck over Key Advisor. Decoy is by Somebeachsomewhere
and races for the ownership group of Brixton Medical, RAW Equine and Joe
Sbrocco.
Sunday post time is 7:00
p.m.
