by T.J. Burkett, for The Red Mile

Lexington, KY — The finest horses and horsemen in North America are congregating at the historic Red Mile for the two-week Grand Circuit racing meet. Week one will kick off on Tuesday, September 25, with the Norman S. Woolworth Memorial Bluegrass Series for 2-year-old filly trotters.

Five divisions of Bluegrass fillies will go to the gate on Tuesday. In the first division (race three), Merrie Annabelle winner Muscovite starts from post six and is the 2-1 morning line favorite. The field also includes Champlain winner No Pain No Gain from post one and the “pink filly,” Kentucky Sires Stakes runner-up Global Glamour, starting from post four.

In the second division (race six), American-National and Kentuckiana Stallion Management Stakes winner Creamy Mimi stands out in the eight-horse field, but KYSS champion Debbie Hall looks to give her a challenge from post eight.

The third Bluegrass division (race eight) looks to be the most competitive of the five. New York Sires Stakes standouts Makeherownway (post one) and Bether Always (post four) attract attention, but driver Marcus Johansson called Susan XYZ (post five) “one of the best fillies I’ve ever driven” after winning two straight early closers here at The Red Mile.

In the fourth division (race 10), Valbruna looks to be the one to beat after wins in the Simpson, Kentuckiana Stallion Management Stakes and Horseman Stakes.

The fifth and final split (race 12), is led by NYSS regular Epangeline, who has hit the board in each of her nine starts this year and has banked $99,817.

On Wednesday, September 26, 2-year-old pacing fillies will square off in five divisions of the Bluegrass Stakes. In division one (race two), She’s A Great Lady Stakes winner A And G’s Confusion will start from post one. This Allamerican Native filly has already earned $386,296 this year.

In the second division (race five) KYSS champion Beachy Girl looks to avenge her Simpson loss by facing such top fillies as Sweetheart runner-up Knock Three Times and Kentuckiana Stallion Management Stakes winner Edra Hanover.

Bluegrass division three (race seven) looks to be wide-open. Ideal Nectarine comes in as the 2-1 morning line favorite after a 1:53 Simpson win, but she will face off against eight others fillies including Wondrous Grace, who won a Standardbred division in 1:55 last week at the Delaware County Fair.

Fillies are coming from all over to face off in Bluegrass division four (race 9). Kelly’s Keepsake has won $164,539 against Illinois-breds, but here she must meet the likes of NYSS winner JK Majorette and Champlain runner-up Sprig Hanover.

In division five (race 12), try to pick a winner from Standardbred division winner Up Front Bethann, Simpson division winner Good News Lady, NYSS champion Kissing Bandit or Hayes and Review winner Miss Scarlett.

Post time all week is 12:30 p.m.