Lexington, KY – It may be Ladies Night for patrons at The Red Mile on Sunday (July 27), but it is certainly an evening to witness a 14-race card devoted to 2-year-old male pacers.
The Lexington oval will offer its first $80,000 leg of the Kentucky Championship Series in addition to three $15,000 first legs of the Golden Rod Series, three $30,000 first legs of the Kentucky Commonwealth Series and one $10,000 first division of the Kentucky Wildcat Series.
Ubrute debuts in Kentucky Championship Series
Although he faces stiff opposition, Ubrute’s first pari-mutuel contest is exciting. The first foal out of world champion, dual Dan Patch Award Winner and Breeders Crown victress Warrawee Ubeaut, Ubrute is by 2020 Horse of the Year Tall Dark Stanger.
His dam holds the world record on a mile oval for 2-year-old pacing fillies (1.48.3), which was established over this very surface in 2018. The colt has some heavy hoof prints to follow but does compete for the same driver and trainer (Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke) that his dam did.
Ubrute will leave from post position five in a field of eight in the ninth race and is 7-2 on the morning line after qualifying in 1:56.
The colt is owned by his trainer, Weaver Bruscemi, Hatfield Stables and Phillip Collura. He was bred by his trainer, Crawford Farms Racing, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby and Collura.
Ubrute was purchased for $150,000 at last year’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.
However, he must take on some regally bred rivals, such as Brandon Blvd (Downbytheseaside-Alexis Faith) who will have Tim Tetrick in the bike for trainer Andrew Harris and leave from post position two while 9-2 on the morning line.
Funky Buddha (Todd McCarthy) will seek his fifth win from as many trips to the gate this season when the son of Sweet Lou-The Double Deuce begins pacing from post position three. He is 6-1 on the morning line for conditioner Tony Dinges.
The colt’s only setback in his four-race career is a neck loss in a division of the Kentucky Sire Stakes contested at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel.
Funky Buddha captured the $150,000 sire stakes final at that facility to avenge his lone defeat and possesses a mark of 1:52.4.
Kentucky Commonwealth Series is packed with pedigree power
Scheduled as races three, four and 10, the Kentucky Commonwealth Series has plenty of entrants who hail from outstanding family trees.
In the first division, there is Im A Real American (David Miller) by Always A Virgin, the colt is out of Indiana champion Ag-N-Au Bluegrass and is a full sibling to Kentucky champion, Goldie’s Legacy ($571,875).
Im A Real American will leave from post position four for trainer Melissa Essig. He is 9-2 on the morning line with a record of 3-1-1-0 and a mark of 1:54.2.
The colt was purchased by this trainer and Evan Nations at the 2024 Standardbred Horse Sale for $10,000 and was bred by Dave Yoder.
The second division features the debut of Birthday Wish (Huntsville-Social Scene). The colt will begin pacing from post position six in a field of eight with Dexter Dunn holding the reins for trainer Chris Ryder. He is 3-1 on the morning line.
Birthday Wish was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms and sold to Frederick Schwartz, Shirley Schwartz and ONDA Racing Stable for $100,000 at last year’s Standardbred Horse Sale under the name Silas Hanover.
The 10th and final division of the evening will see a field of seven go to post. Captain Apple (Captaintreacherous-Apple Hanover) will leave from post position three with Dunn in the sulky for Ryder. The colt is 9-2 on the morning line.
Apple Hanover (Well Said, $234,596) is a full sibling to Aria Hanover ($130,136) and a half sister to Another Hanover (Art Major, $173,940), Applejack Hanover (Dragon Again, $131,624) and Air Force Hanover (Somebeachsomewhere, $616,180).
Captain Apple is the mare’s second foal and sold for $40,000 at last year’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale to his trainer, Lisa Ezzo, Alan Johnston and Let It Ride Stables.
He was bred by Let It Ride Stables and J L Benson Stables.
Golden Rod and Wildcat Series action contributes to quality card
Races one, six and eight consist of the three $15,000 divisions of the Golden Rod Series. All three fields contain seven horses vying for victory that are evenly matched and offer another glimpse into what the future may hold for the male pacing divisions.
The lone $10,000 Wildcat Series division goes as race 11 and features a field of 10 youngsters.
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 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.
This Sunday evening is Ladies Night and High Bingo. Guests can participate in a wine tasting from Chenault Vineyards, enjoy $5 Cosmopolitans and experience the Wandering Winds Flower Bar, where patrons can create their own bouquet bar.
Eternal Adornment Permanent Jewelry will also be present to provide keepsakes for those you love or even a bauble to appreciate yourself.
For those, that prefer lighter fare, The Red Mile will also offer $2 hot dogs and $2 draft beers.
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 pari-mutuel 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 events, the live racing calendar, or free racing program pages, please visit www.redmileracing.com.