Lexington, KY
– The third and last preliminary leg of the Kentucky Sires Stakes (KYSS) for
freshman trotters went forth on Thursday night at The Red Mile.
Trotting fillies got the
program underway in race two with Deschanel winning for the first time in 1:57.
Driver Jeff Gregory moved her first over past the half, was clear by the 1:27.2
third station then Deschanel poured it on moving away from her rivals to an
easy win. Bob Stewart trains the homebred Yankee Glide filly from Danae for
owners Fredericka Caldwell and Bluestone Farms. Sarabi AS was second and first
timer Found My Sloan third.
Lily Stride won as
expected, giving driver Gregory an early double. The trip was an easy one as
Lily Stride was moved for the front as the field approached the half and was
given the respect due a 1-5 favorite. When they straightened for home up she
found another gear and was gone equaling the 1:55.2 mark she took in leg two.
Top Expectations and Sherry’s Lady followed her in.
Mark Harder trains Lily
Stride for owners Emilio and Maria Rosati.
Foxy Fantasy took the
third split in 1:56.3 with a busy trip from post eight. Dave Palone sent out
her for the lead, yielded to Bandol Rose, watched as that one fought off a
challenge, shook loose late then held sway over a charging Nixie Volo for the
win. The meet’s leading trainer Anette Lorentzon is babysitting Foxy Fantasy in
Kentucky for Ake Svanstedt who owns the Explosive Matter filly with Knutsson
Trotting and Little E;LLC. Aperfectruby took third.
Wolfgang won for the
second time in three series tries, this time reserved off the early fractions
set by Cordoba Hall then grinding up to the lead as they turned home and widening
as he pleased for trainer
- driver Jimmy Takter in 1:56.2. Haveitalltogether rallied for second
and Hat Trick Habit held third.
Wolfgang is from 2012 KY
Futurity winner My MVP’s first crop and is owned by Brixton Medical, Goran
Falk, Hatfield Stable and his breeder Fair Island Farm. He’s a likely favorite
in the colt division for the upcoming finals.
Joe Bongiorno drove
Brittany Farms, Alagna Racing and Robert LeBlanc’s Dawson Springs to a popular
1:58.2 win as the favorite in the second colt division. The pair sat chilly at
the rails as US Marshall had all the best of it through slow fractions with
minimal pressure but when the filed turned home the leader bore out allowing
passage up the inside for Dawson Springs and Crown Court who took third. That
gives Dawson Springs back to back KYSS leg wins for his connections and trainer
Tony Alagna.
The next live racing at
The Red Mile on Saturday night brings with it the third leg for the KYSS
pacers.
The KYSS finals are set
for Sunday, September 17 when both the two and three year old titles will be
decided.
