Lexington, KY — On Tuesday (July 22), The Red Mile conducted two $35,000 first round legs of the Kentucky Sire Stakes Series for older male and female trotters. Vic Zelenskyy returned from a vacation as a victor and Black Velvet As collected her second consecutive triumph in sire stakes company.
The impeccably bred Vic Zelenskyy (Greenshoe-Mission Brief) has experienced trouble staying flat throughout his career yet demonstrated his affinity for the red clay with his fifth triumph over the Lexington oval.
With Dexter Dunn at the controls for conditioner Marcus Melander, the stallion commenced trotting from post position five as Bargain (Marvin Luna) took control out of the gate from post position seven through a first quarter in :28.1. Dunn, however, decided it was time to place Vic Zelenskyy in command prior to a half in :56.1. The stallion never relinquished that position through three-quarters in 1:24.2 and hit the line in 1:51. Bargain came on again with a drive in the lane, but Vic Zelenskyy was best. Mister Dad (David Miller) rounded out the trifecta.
Sent off as the favorite in the field of eight, the stallion is owned by S R F Stable as well as Holly Lane Stud East LTD. He was bred by Mission Brief Stable.
Vic Zelenskyy was a $550,000 purchase at the 2022 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale and is the first foal out of world champion Mission Brief’s five offspring of racing age to break the $100,000 barrier after today’s win.
The 4-year-old’s stallion’s record now stands at 15-6-2 and he has banked $113,510.
He last competed in the 2024 Breeders Crown elimination where he broke in the final, but he did win an elimination of last year’s Kentucky Futurity.
Vic Zelenskyy paid $5.14 to his supporters.
Black Velvet As (Dan Noble) made the best of her appearance this afternoon to score in 1:51.3, a new lifetime mark, over Justasiam As (Marvin Luna) and Danger (Robert Taylor).
The public’s top choice in the field of nine, Black Velvet As left from post position six and settled in fourth as Butter N Syrup (Todd McCarthy, post position seven), established splits of :27.4 and :56.2. That’s when Danger (Taylor, post position five) decided it was time to go to the top and led the field through three-quarters in 1:24.1.
At that juncture, Black Velvet As was poised to strike as she had advanced into second. As Danger retreated in the drive to the finish line, Justasiam launched her bid, but Black Velvet As proved to be the stronger of the two.
A daughter of Archangel-Provide As, Black Velvet possesses a resume of 24-7-6-2 and has amassed $259,545.
She is trained by Anette Lorentzon, who also conditions the second-place finisher.
Black Velvet As competes as a homebred for ACL Stuteri AB. The 4-year-old entered this contest off a triumph in the $150,000 Kentucky Sire Stakes Final for this division at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel on June 24.
The mare provided $4.60 to all those who selected her.
Racing will continue through Sunday (Oct. 5), following a Sunday through Wednesday schedule. Fans and horsemen can look forward to 5:05 p.m. post times on Sundays, and 1:00 p.m. post times on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays throughout the meet.
The Red Mile is pleased to announce the return of Sunday Night Lights presented by Crawford Farms. Sunday Night Lights will bring a new level of energy to the track and will feature championship racing alongside themed events, live music, family friendly entertainment and drink and dining specials.
The Red Mile’s clubhouse will be open for dining each Sunday evening during live racing and will offer a variety of delicious menu items. Guests are encouraged to make reservations by calling 859.255.0752.
Guests can swipe their driver’s license at the on-site kiosk in the Clubhouse for a chance to win prizes worth up to $500
Guests can receive a free t-shirt with the purchase of a live racing program while supplies last.
The Red Mile will once again feature industry low takeout on the parimutuel side of things while offering fans a full buffet of wagering options including bookend daily double wagering exacta and trifecta wagering, 20 cent superfectas, Pick-3, Pick-4, Pick-5 and Pick-6 offerings and the Super Hi-5.
For more information on the upcoming draw schedule, promotional e
vents, the live racing calendar, or free racing program pages, please visit www.redmileracing.com.