by Gabe Prewitt, for The Red Mile

Lexington, KY — The historic red clay oval came up lightning fast on Monday night (Sept. 13), and the top two 3-year-old pacing fillies in the country did not disappoint race fans as they hooked up in a thrilling stretch duel to the finish in the $171,000 Nadia Lobell.

Nigel Soult photo

Put On A Show lowered her mark to 1:49.4 in the $171,000 Nadia Lobell.

Wenditions (Brad Kramer) blasted to the early lead ahead of Tiz To Dream (Ron Pierce) as those two raced 1-2 past the opening quarter in :26.3 as Put On A Show (Tim Tetrick) got away third from post one and Dancinwiththestarz (Brian Sears) ducked in the four hole from the outside post seven.

Tetrick had Put On A Show out and moving as the field raced up the backstretch, and the 1-9 favorite was up to take command as the field raced through the half in a wicked :53.2, a remarkable :26.4 second panel on the clock.

The two favorites hooked up around the final turn, as Sears had Dancinwiththestarz positioned first-over right alongside the leader through the three-quarters in 1:22.2. Wenditions was third on the inside turning for home, while Panagler (John Campbell) was perfectly positioned second-over.

The two heavyweights drew away from their rivals down the lane and battled one another to the finish, but in the end it was Put On A Show who dug down deep with a :27.2 final panel to hit the wire three-quarters of a length ahead of her main divisional rival in a lifetime best 1:49.4. It was 5-3/4 lengths back to Panagler who finished third, while Wenditions held sway down the lane to finish fourth, 6-1/2 lengths behind the winner.

It was the 10th win in 12 starts this season for Put On A Show, and the 17th score in 21 lifetime starts. The $85,500 winner’s share of the purse increased her career earnings to over $1.55 million.

“This filly just shows up every week, and has been super all season long,” commented the winning driver, Tim Tetrick. “Anytime you get down to the half in :53 and piece (:53.2) it’s always going to make you a little nervous on the front end, but I knew I had the filly to beat and was able to give her a nice breather in the third quarter and she did the rest from there.

“She is much better off a helmet, and I think it’s possible that she can pace in (1:)48 here (Red Mile) if the track comes up right next month,” Tetrick continued.

As Tetrick alluded to, Put On A Show is scheduled to be back in Lexington to race in the $200,000 Bluegrass Stakes on October 15 and the $350,000 Tattersalls-Glen Garnsey Memorial Pace on October 22.

The Pick 4 wager went uncovered on the Monday night program, creating a carryover of over $690 into the pool on Thursday night. Thursday night is once again $1 night at The Red Mile with $1 admission, $1 hot dogs, $1 soft drinks, and $1 draft beer. First post is 6:30 p.m. for the 12-race program.