by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Editor

Lexington, KY — Four divisions in the $436,000 Bluegrass Stakes for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers were on the Saturday afternoon (September 29) program at The Red Mile.

Ronald Michelon’s Genuwine (Andy Miller) captured the fourth and fastest division in a lifetime best 1:50.2. The son of Cam’s Card Shark-Beverage benefited from a pocket trip to defeat pace-setter Riggins (Ray Schnittker). On The Brink (Luc Ouellette) was third.

Western Outfitter (George Brennan) left strongly from post position nine to gain the early lead before yielding to Genuwine past the opening quarter in :28. Driver Ray Schnittker moved Riggins to the front at the :54 half-mile maker and continued on the engine at the 1:21.3 three-quarter pole. Miller angled Genuwine out of the hole at the head of the lane and wore down the leader at the wire.

“That’s the kind of trip I was looking for,” said winning driver Andy Miller. “He was trying his heart out (in the stretch) and put on a big effort.”

For Genuwine, the win was his seventh in just nine lifetime starts. Trained by Erv Miller, he has now earned $117,238 this year after grabbing his share of the $109,500 purse.

“He’s very brave and Erv has done a good job keeping him sharp,” added Andy Miller.

Sand Shooter is triumphant in 1:51.3

Bill Sanders’ Sand Shooter came flying down the stretch to win the $109,500 third division in 1:51.3, lowering his mark by three full seconds. David Miller steered the Western Hanover-More Than Most colt to his second score in nine trips behind the gate. Sand Shooter, trained by Jim Arledge, Jr., more than doubled his earnings to $88,095.

Dreams Are Real (Yannick Gingras) took the field to the opening quarter in :28.1, ahead of Truponder (John Campbell) and Russian River (Brian Sears). Some confusion among horses down the backstretch allowed Lonestar Legend (George Brennan) to burst clear of the pack at the :55 half-mile marker. Lonestar Legend opened up several lengths on the field heading into the final turn, but began to get leg weary at the 1:22.2 three-quarter pole.

Heading down the lane, Lonestar Legend gave up the lead and Sand Shooter came flying four-wide down the stretch to claim the victory. Dali (Luc Ouellette) finished second, while Todd J H Hanover (Jody Jamieson) was third. Lonestar Legend faded to fourth.

Warning Zone scores in 1:51.2

Joseph Muscara’s Warning Zone took the $108,500 second split in a new mark of 1:51.2. Ron Pierce was in the bike for trainer Virgil Morgan, Jr. as the Jate Lobell gelding scored for the fifth straight time and sixth overall in just eight juvenile starts. Warning Zone lifted his earnings to $194,317.

David Miller took Off Parole to the lead at the opening quarter in :27.3, with Warning Zone getting away fourth. Heading down the backstretch, Pierce took his mount to the front and they cleared at the :56 half-mile marker. From there, Warning Zone sprinted away from the field, reaching the three-quarter pole in 1:24.1 and then putting in a :27.1 final panel to hit the wire in 1:51.2. Western Trademark (Yannick Gingras) was second and Vette Man (Andy Miller) checked in third.

“He did fine,” said trainer Virgil Morgan, Jr. of Warning Zone. “The race went like we were hoping. He’s really handy and quick, although I think he’s better from off the pace.

“We got him six weeks ago and things have been going good so far.”

M C A wins opener

In the $108,500 opening division, Sylvia Burke, Randy Ringer, Thomas Cherichello and Lawrence Karr’s M C A (Dave Palone) popped out of the pocket in deep stretch to score in a lifetime best 1:52. Its That Time (John Campbell) finished second and Upfront Hannahsboy (David Miller) was third.

The victory was the sixth in 11 starts this year for the Real Desire-Hidden Virtue juvenile, who has now banked $168,250.

M C A was the early leader in this mile, taking the the field to the quarter in :28.4. He yielded the front to Its That Time at the :56.2 half and remained in the two-hole at the 1:24.4 three-quarter pole. Heading down the stretch, Palone moved his charge off the wood and was an easy winner.

“This has been a nice colt from day one,” commented winning trainer Mickey Burke. “He’s done everything just perfect.”