Lex1 - Captaintreacherous Among Superstar Performers in Tattersalls

by Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile

The eve of the Grand Circuit finale at The Red Mile was contested on Saturday, headlined by the Tattersalls Pace and the International Stallion Stakes for two-year-old colt pacers.

The highlighted race of the afternoon was the match-up between Vegas Vacation, Sunshine Beach and Captaintreacherous, in which the glorified Captaintreacherous shut out Vegas Vacation for the victory, winning in 1:47.2.

Beach Memories left for the front, with Urbanite Hanover tracking his helmet and Captaintreacherous being sent first over around the first turn. Captaintreacherous cleared the front passed the quarter in :26.4. No one made a chase for him towards the half-mile, yet Captaintreacherous lit that fraction in :53.3 (:26.4).

Emeritus Maximus flushed out Vegas Vacation into the far turn. Sunshine Beach was racing third over, though was not progressing heading to three-quarters. Vegas Vacation was inching closer towards Captaintreacherous, as he prepared for the stretch drive of his life at three-quarters in 1:20.2 (:26.4).

Vegas Vacation was in an all out drive to overtake Captaintreacherous in the stretch. The two had sprinted clear of Beach Memories in third. Captaintreacherous dug in strongly entering the sixteenth pole and got the advantage over Vegas Vacation to win the Tattersalls in 1:47.2 (:27). Vegas Vacation was second, Beach Memories was third and Sunshine Beach finished fourth.

Captaintreacherous ($2.60) is a three-year-old colt by Somebeachsomewhere, out of the mare Worldly Treasure by Artsplace. He is owned by Captaintreacherous racing, trained by Tony Alagna and Tim Tetrick was in the bike.

“He is the greatest horse I've ever driven,” driver Tim Tetrick said. “He is lazy though and very laid back. I have to keep with him and just tried to keep the fractions honest. That's what you have to do with a horse like him, he'll do whatever you want him to do. That horse [Vegas Vacation] was by him in the stretch but I knew he would come back on him. He just refuses to lose.”

“We did take some criticism for not taking him to the Jug,” trainer Tony Alagna said. “People said the competition in his race at Hoosier Park was not up to par but we wanted to do the right thing by our horse and he needed the five-week break so he could finish the season the way we wanted him too. It was not to be disrespectful to the Little Brown Jug. It's a great race with a deep history and a line of traditions. We know that, but maybe they do need to make some changes and maybe the set of circumstances we presented will begin that process.”

Rain struck the final division of the Tattersalls, where Sunfire Blue Chip defeated odds-on favorite Fool Me Once in a 1:49.4 closing effort.

Fool Me Once left hard for the lead, with Sunfire Blue Chip racing alongside him to try and clear the lead before the quarter. He did exactly that and went the first station in :26.4. Fool Me Once was soon back to the outside to retake command, doing so before three-eighths. Sunfire Blue Chip resided in the pocket and Twilight Bonfire was patient in third as Fool Me Once went the half-mile in :54.3 (:27.4).

Twilight Bonfire pulled first over into the far turn and was soon on equal terms with Fool Me Once. He came close to clearing command, but Fool Me Once dug in at the inside and made him work for the lead at three-quarters, timed in 1:23.1 (:28.3).

Twilight Bonfire could not keep up with the field into the stretch, quickly dropping back in the back. Fool Me Once held command, but a new challenger came in Sunfire Blue Chip, who was flying down the center of the track. To his right flank were Dedi’s Dragon and Apprentice Hanover also closing in, but for minor honors as Sunfire Blue Chip sprinted home to win in 1:49.4 (:26.3) on the newly-dampened grounds. Dedi’s Dragon finished second, Fool Me Once was third and Apprentice Hanover finished fourth.

Sunfire Blue Chip ($8.80) is a three-year-old colt by American Ideal, out of the mare Shot Togo Bluechip by Cam’s Card Shark. He is owned by Christina Takter, John and Jim Fielding and Brixton Medical Ab, trained by Jimmy Takter and Yannick Gingras was in the sulky.

Shebestingin raced a remarkable mile in the first of two Glen Garnsey Memorial splits, pacing an all-age female world record of 1:47.

Authorize launched off the gate for the lead, with Ms Caila J Fra getting away in second and Shebestingin was racing in third. Authorize led by the quarter in :26.4. Shebestingin pulled first over heading passed three-eighths and was flying her way to the front. She cleared the lead just after the half, timed in :53.1 (:26.2).

Scandalous Hanover pulled first over into the far turn and quickly was making her way towards Shebestingin. Authorize was getting a pocket trip around the turn, but Shebestingin was beginning to draw away at three-quarters, going in 1:20 (:26.4).

It turned into an exhibition for Shebestingin in the stretch, drawing away by 3 lengths from Scandalous Hanover, while Authorize was racing in third and Aunt Caroline was beginning a late bid from the back. Shebestingin was being chased to the wire by David Miller and stopped the clock in 1:47, an all-age world mark. Scandalous Hanover was second, Authorize was third and Aunt Caroline closed for fourth.

Shebestingin ($3.20) is a three-year-old filly by Bettor’s Delight, out of the mare Armbro Tussle by Abercrombie. She is owned by Val D’or Farms, Ted Gewertz and L & L Devisser, trained by Joe Holloway and David Miller was in the bike.

“She shied away from something so I turned her around to get her back on,” driver David Miller said, explaining the recall. “She does that sometimes and she has done it to me before. Sometimes she takes me by surprise like she did today. I thought she was paying attention and she wasn't.

“I saw Ronnie going some really fast fractions up front and thought I needed to move her. I made the move and I had to use her hard to get there; going 1:20 is something. In the stretch, she was giving all she had. She amazes me and she amazes me all the time.”

“She does that behind the gate sometimes where she breaks into a canter,” trainer Joe Holloway said. 

“I have no idea why, but I wish I knew so then I could fix it. She's been doing really well down here and I was very happy with how she raced last week. I think Timmy Tetrick said it best last week [about the world record], when you are out there, you aren't going for a number, but it certainly feels good. We are going on to the Breeders Crown.”

Carols Desire, pulling a slingshot move past Parlee Beach, took the other division of the Glen Garnsey Memorial in 1:49.4.

Carols Desire and Parlee Beach battled for the top around the first turn. Belle Boyd watched the two from third and Mattie Terror Girl floated into fourth. Parlee Beach cleared command passing the quarter in :27.2. She managed to have no adversaries passing the half, timed in :53.4 (:26.2).

Belle Boyd took her shot at Parlee Beach into the far turn. Jerseylicious pulled second over into the flow and was prepared to tip three wide at three-quarters. Parlee Beach took them by the third station in 1:21.2 (:27.3).

Belle Boyd quickly faltered into the stretch. Jerseylicious was starting a bid down the center of the track, while Carols Desire had room to edge out of the pocket and take pursuit after Parlee Beach. Carols Desire took command within a matter of strides and went on to victory, scoring in 1:49.4 (:28.2). Parlee Beach was second, Mattie Terror Girl snuck into third and Jerseylicious was fourth.

Carols Desire ($7.40) is a three-year-old filly by Real Desire, out of the mare Carolache by Kiev Hanover. She is owned by Burke Racing Stables, Weaver Bruscemi, Randy Ringer and Phillip Collura, trained by Ron Burke and Yannick Gingras was the driver.

“She's really a trip filly,” driver Yannick Gingras said. “One time, I put her on the front at Chester and she really didn't like it. It was against higher quality fillies, but it just wasn't her cup of tea. Then I raced her the week before the Jug and Ronnie said go easy on her because the Jugette is coming up in a week. Then in the Jugette, she was just loaded. She was really, really sharp and she still is, but she does need the trip. You need to come first up or stay close and hopefully you will get lucky in the stretch. That's how things were today.”

“We got the easier division, but that's what you are supposed to do when you have the easier division,” trainer Ron Burke said. “You are supposed to win. She gets better every week and she's a hot horse going into the Breeders Crown. We weren't going to go with her but she punched her ticket today. She likes the track and it's home for us. She is really good right now. If you watch what we do, a lot of horses get like this as three-year-olds. They get better as the year goes on and are good at the end of the year.”

The first division of the International Stallion Stakes went to Somestarsomewhere, pacing a 1:49.2 mile.

Somewhere In L A blasted off the gate, with Somestarsomewhere getting away in second and Somewhere Fancy in third. Somewhere In L A was bracing for the challenge of Somestarsomewhere, as the two met eyes in a :27.1 first quarter.

John Campbell had a hard hold on Somwhere In L A, as he was anxious in the pocket. 

Somestarsomewhere got the lead heading to the three-eighths pole, while Somewhere Fancy was racing in third. It was about a 5 length gap to Skyful Of Lighters racing in fourth and being circled by Beat The Drum, wanting to catch up with the leaders heading to the half. Somestarsomewhere led by the half in :54.1 (:27).

Somewhere Fancy was flushed first over by Beat The Drum as the field entered the far turn. Idealbeach Hanover was in the flow third over, while Somewhere In L A remained at the pylons. Somestarsomewhere was still on command at three-quarters in 1:22.4 (:28.3).

Somewhere Fancy could not come to equal terms with Somestarsomewhere into the stretch. 

Idealbeach Hanover fanned three wide and was closing, while Journeyman came from the back of the field and flying down the center of the track. Somestarsomewhere saved something for the wire and went on to victory in 1:49.2 (:26.3). Journeyman finished second, Idealbeach Hanover was third and Somewhere Fancy was fourth.

Somestarsomewhere ($4.40) is a two-year-old colt by Somebeachsomewhere, out of the mare Lovely Assistant by Art Major. He is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Michelle Yanek and Lawrence Karr, trained by Ron Burke and Yannick Gingras was in the bike.

“I had a little bit of concern [at the half-mile marker]," driver Yannick Gingras said. “I tried to get a breather there in the third-quarter, which I got. I thought it would take a pretty good last quarter to beat me from there."

Ideal Magic emerged victorious with a valiant backside brush to win the second Stallion Stake in 1:51.2.

A trio of freshmen launched off the gate, consisting of Rockstar Stride, Caviart Luca and On Golden Ponder. On Golden Ponder got the lead into the first turn, Caviart Luca tucked into the pocket and Rockstar Stride was racing in third. Ideal Magic was sitting a patient fourth passed the quarter in :27.3.

Ideal Magic pulled first over from fourth at the mid-point of the backstretch and cleared command just before the half. On Golden Ponder was left in second, as Ideal Magic went by the half in :55.2 (:27.4).

Ari Allstar went first over entering the far turn. Parnu Hanover took three wide at that point and was on equal terms with Ideal Magic and Ari Allstar at the mid-point of the far turn. Parnu Hanover soon was faltering in the three path, so Ari Allstar was left with a lone opponent in Ideal Magic through a 1:23 (:27.3) third-quarter.

It was a two horse race through the stretch. Ideal Magic was game at the inside, while Ari Allstar was right at his throat on the outside. Ideal Magic got the upper hand at the wire, winning the second Stallion Stake in 1:51.2 (:28.2). Ari Allstar finished second, Smack Talk closed for third and Rockstar Stride finished fourth.

Ideal Magic ($8.60) is a two-year-old colt by American Ideal, out of the mare Special Magic by Camluck. He is owned by Cheap Speed Stable, Joe Sbrocco, Eagle Soar Partners and Louis Willinger, trained by Tony Alagna and Tim Tetrick was in the bike.

“He's a big powerful colt and he has a big long gait on him,” driver Tim Tetrick said.
”Once he gets moving, he can carry the mail pretty good. Jody got back in behind me for a while and bravened him up. I was a little worried about that, but when he popped out my horse fought him, so it was a good race all the way to the wire.”

So Surreal went off the public’s choice and did not let them down, pacing a first over mile to take the third International Stallion Stake in 1:49.4.

Rocknroll Reality got the lead, with He’s Got It getting away in second and Carracci Hanover in third. Rocknroll Reality led passed the quarter in :27.3. Carracci Hanover soon took to the outside to contest the pace, clearing the lead before three-eighths. Rocknroll Reality was left with a pocket trip as Carracci Hanover strolled to the half in :55 (:27.2).

So Surreal took his shot into the far turn, pulling first over from fifth. He began flying towards the leader, while Fort Knox was tracking that move. Carracci Hanover and So Surreal hooked into a battle at three-quarters in 1:22.4 (:27.4).

Carracci Hanover was game in holding onto command. So Surreal was a thorn in his side and soon got his nose in front. So Surreal was the leader into the sixteenth pole, while He’s Got It emerged from a pocket journey into third and Fort Knox was drifting in fourth. So Surreal got to the wire in 1:49.4 (:27), with Carracci Hanover finishing second, He’s Got It third and Fort Knox was fourth.

So Surreal ($2.40) is a two-year-old colt by Somebeachsomewhere, out of the mare Must See by Artsplace. He is owned by Ray Schnittker, Ted Gewertz, Jonathan Kurnit and Steve Arnold, trained by Ray Schnittker and Tim Tetrick got a grand slam behind So Surreal in a lifetime best of 1:49.4.

As the downpour shrouded the Lexington oval, the final division of the International Stallion Stake was contested and taken by Limelight Beach in a first over fashion, scoring in 1:57.1. Note that the track was downgraded to sloppy for this event.

Stevensville got the lead with ease, while Ideal Fashion floated into second and Melmerby Beach was racing in third. Stevensville led by the quarter in :29.1. Melmerby Beach broke in the pocket heading down the backstretch, leaving Doo Wop Hanover in third. Limelight Beach pulled first over to try and catch Stevensville, who had 4 lengths on Ideal Fashion through a :59.3 (:30.2) half.

Limelight Beach was patient in his bid around the far turn, only reaching Stevensville’s wheel. Some Major Beach was tracking him second over and Ideal Fashion remained with the pocket trip heading passed three-quarters, timed in 1:30.1 (:30.3).

Limelight Beach slowly surpassed Stevensville in the stretch, Ideal Fashion was trying to rally up the cones and Doo Wop Hanover was coming into the mix late. As the field became visible into the sixteenth pole, Limelight Beach emerged with the advantage and went on to win, with Stevensville finishing second, Doo Wop Hanover was third and Ideal Fashion was fourth.

Limelight Beach ($3.80) is a two-year-old gelding by Somebeachsomewhere, out of the mare Benear by Badlands Hanover. He is owned by James Stambaugh, Milton Leeman and Charles Wingfield, trained by Brian Brown and David Miller guided him through the sloppy going to win in 1:57.1 (:27).

The finale on The Red Mile’s card was cancelled due to the late, inclement weather.

The conclusion to both The Red Mile and Grand Circuit meetings’ is set for tomorrow, with a post time of 1 PM. The Kentucky Futurity, Filly Futurity and Allerage Opens are among the highlighted events.