For The Red Mile & KYSS
Lexington, KY -
The Kentucky Sires Stakes
(KYSS) for 3-year-old pacers and trotters get underway on Sunday night at The
Red Mile. They'll have two preliminary legs leading up to $175,000 finals for
all groups on Sunday, September 17.
The pacing fillies were the only division to split with thirteen
declared and will race for a purse of $10,000 in races one and three.
James Averitt's In The Dark (PP #4) was last year's KYSS final
winner and she's the morning line choice in the first. A seven time winner in a
dozen career starts, In The Dark has been sharpening up at the KY fairs but
missed that final while sick. Trainer Jack Gray always has her ready for the
money and Trace Tetrick is coming in to drive.
Al-Mar-Got A Fever (PP #3) is the 7-5 choice in the third race
based on an impressive resume that includes a second in an elimination for the
Fan Hanover Grand Circuit stake in June. She's got a wicked move and driver
Chris Page is here to try and have it end in the winner's circle. Steve
Carter trains the daughter of Third Straight for owners Chuck Grubbs, Neal
Kresheck, Joe Whittaker and BRB Racing.
Trotting fillies come along in race five where a field of seven
faces the Mike Moss starting gate for a purse of $15,000. Sheas Victory is the
defending champ in this division and she's in good current form for trainer
Russ Newman, having won five of eight including the fair final. Mickey Pryor is
the top jock around the KY fairs and he's got the drive on Sheas Victory for
owner Candra Foley of Winchester, KY.
Eight pacing colts were entered for the $15,000 first leg
including last year's champ V Power and runner-up Mt Sterling Mafia.
V Power is the homebred pride and joy of Donna and Al Efferstein
and won last year's big one with Al driving. They have chosen to employ Dave
Palone for this year's edition and that move is only going to make it
tougher on the competition.
The cleverly named Mt Sterling Mafia is owned by Red Mile race
caller Gabe Prewitt, a native of nearby Mt. Sterling, KY, and trainer
Kevin Thomas along with James Mc Laughlin. He prepped at Hoosier Park before
getting one over the course in a KY fair in late July and looks like a
contender for Chris Page.
Starlight AS has but a handful of starts in his career for trainer
Anette Lorentzon but has made the most of them with his lone career win last
year's KYSS final. Lorentzon gave him a qualifier prep here last week and he
looks like all systems are go for this year's series. Elliott Deaton has the
drive on Sunday for owners ACL Stuteri and Kjell Johansson.
It's a fifteen race marathon that will begin at 7:00 p.m. on
Sunday. Find more info at the track website.
