by Gabe Prewitt, publicity director, The Red Mile

Lexington, KY — Tug River Princess used a ferocious stretch rally to mow down the pacesetter, Btwnyurheartnmine and driver Ron Pierce, to win the $253,400 Nadia Lobell Final on Sunday night (September 7) at The Red Mile in 1:50, which established a new lifetime mark. John Campbell made his first Red Mile appearance of 2008 to drive the filly that is trained by Ross Croghan.

Nigel Soult photo

Tug River Princess was a 1:50 winner in the Nadia Lobell on Sunday.

Tug River Princess is a 3-year-old daughter of Badlands Hanover-Aucryifiwanto who won for the 15th time in her career. She was sent off as the 3-5 choice and pushed her career earnings to $592,529 for the Let It Ride Stables, Robert Cooper Stables, and Jerry Silva.

Campbell had the filly perfectly positioned following second-over cover as the field turned for home, and tipped her three-wide to sprint home in a sizzling :26 seconds. Kentucky Sire Stakes champion Btwnyurheartnmine was able to hold second, while driver Greg Grismore rallied with Good News Lady to finish third.

In other action, the 3-year-old Broadway Hall-Flirtin My Way filly Stage Show extended her winning streak to three, and second in a row at The Red Mile, as she picked up a win in the $10,000 Moni Maker elimination. The top nine finishers will advance, along with Lantern Kronos, who earned an elimination bye as the wealthiest filly entered, to next Sunday night’s (September 14) $225,000 Moni Maker Final.

Stage Show was also steered by John Campbell, who was in the bike for his brother, trainer Jim Campbell. She was a game first-over winner and coasted home with a :27.1 final quarter under very little encouragement, to score by 4-1/2 lengths in 1:55.3.

Racing action will continue on Monday night (September 8) at The Red Mile with a first post of 6:30 p.m. for the 17-race card.