by Gabe Prewitt, Red Mile Director of Publicity

Lexington, KY — The second half of the ten day Grand Circuit meeting, where total purses will exceed ten million dollars, kicked off on Tuesday afternoon at The Red Mile, with five divisions of the $329,000 International Stallion Stake for 2-year-old filly trotters.

The first $65,800 division saw 32-1 longshot Levi’s Lady (Brian Sears) fire out to the early lead through an opening quarter of 29 seconds, with Up Front Juansteen (Tim Tetrick) also leaving alertly from her inside post to get away second. However, Tetrick would not wait long to make his move with Up Front Juansteen, as the daughter of Andover Hall-Yankee Dakota quickly popped the pocket and took command through a half mile in 58.1, three-quarters in 1:28, before sprinting away from her rivals down the lane for a 2-1/2 length win in 1:55.3. Up Front Juansteen is trained by Kelly O’Donnell for Ed Mullinax and Murray Brown.

Levi’s Lady used her good early position to slide up the pylons for second, while Nannina (Brad Hanners) used a second over trip to take third, also 2-1/2 lengths behind the winner.

Nigel Soult photo

Fashion Feline (Brian Sears) cruised home to a 4-1/4 length romp in 1:54.3, the fastest division of the afternoon.

The second $65,800 division was taken in a very similar manner, as Fashion Feline (Brian Sears), who was fresh off a win in the $200,000 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Final on September 29 at The Meadows, grabbed control up the backstretch and never relinquished. The daughter of Broadway Hall-Sly Fox cruised home to a 4-1/4 length romp in 1:54.3, the fastest division of the afternoon. Fashion Feline is trained by Jim Campbell for the Fashion Farms LLC. The win was her seventh in ten starts this year, pushing her seasonal earnings to over $329,000.

Bar Slide (David Miller) was able to close for second, while Barham Hanover (Mike Wilder) held on for third.

The third $65,800 division saw a Muscles Yankee-sired trifecta, with Full Tank (George Brennan) parlaying a second over trip into a 1-1/4 length victory in 1:57.1. The daughter of Muscles Yankee-Arenal is trained by Robert Bencal for the Little E LLC.

Religulous (Ron Pierce) was able to maintain second after coming first over, while the 3-5 favorite, In The Mean Time (Mike Lachance), was also a length and a quarter back in third, after being on the lead turning for home.

The fourth $65,800 division was taken by Spicy Wings (Brian Sears), as the daughter of Andover Hall-Angel Fire Hanover made it back-to-back wins at the 2009 Red Mile Grand Circuit meet, after breaking her maiden in an $88,625 Bluegrass division one week prior. Spicy Wings hit the wire 3-3/4 lengths the best in 1:55.4. The filly is trained by Ross Croghan for the Let it Ride Stables, Mentally Stable Inc., and Jerry Silva. Ultimate Cameron (Mike Lachance) finished second, with Tequila Slammer (George Brennan) finishing five lengths back in third.

The fifth and final $65,800 division went to one of the top freshman fillies in the sport, as Poof She’s Gone (David Miller) moved up to challenge for the lead around the final turn, and the 2-5 favorite responded to draw off to a 2-1/2 length win in 1:55.2. The daughter of Kadabra-Travelin Superlite is trained by Richard Norman for Mel Hartman, David McDuffee, Herb Liverman, and John Fielding. The win was her seventh in nine starts this season, and boosted her earnings to over $583,000.

Southwind Samurai (John Campbell) split horses down the lane to be second; while Munis Blue Chip (Ray Schnittker) was 3-1/4 lengths back in third.

Racing action continues each day at The Red Mile with a first post of 12:30 p.m., with Saturday’s $2 million stakes-filled card being the final day of live racing for 2009.