by T.J. Burkett, for The Red Mile

Lexington, KY — Charismatic cruised to his third consecutive win in a $6,000 early closer leg at The Red Mile on Monday night, August 27, in a lifetime best 1:54.2.

Nigel Soult photo

Charismatic remained unbeaten with a 1:54.2 score on Monday.

A 2-year-old colt by Western Ideal, Charismatic was driven by Dave Palone for trainer Noel Daley and co-owners and co-breeders Brittany Farms and Daisy Acres. Charismatic has yet to be beaten in three lifetime starts.

Two weeks after finishing fourth to Muscle Mass in his world record 1:53.4 mile at Springfield, Stand Guard won his early closer leg in 1:57.4, also with Palone aboard. Stand Guard is trained by Ron Gurfein for co-owners Reality Stable and breeder Brittany Farms. Gurfein said Stand Guard, a 2-year-old Conway Hall colt, will ship to Mohawk for the William Wellwood Memorial.

Lantern Kronos broke his maiden with a 1:58 win in an early closer leg for 2-year-old filly trotters. Marcus Johansson drove the Viking Kronos filly for trainer Jimmy Takter and owner-breeder Falkbolagen AB of Sweden.

Redoric proved the quickest in his early closer leg for freshman pacing colts, winning in 1:54.1. Brendan Johnson drove the Red River Hanover gelding for trainer Daley and co-owners Marken Stable, Red Rock Stable, Elliott Spierman and Kenneth Tucci.

Ducats Hanover and trainer Don Swick won their early closer leg at odds of 79-1 in 1:56. Ducats Hanover, by Art Major, is owned by Royal Wire Products.

Flying Color won her early closer leg in 1:55.3 for driver Ricky Macomber, Jr., trainer Jack Gray, Jr. and owner Brent Tartar.

In the $6,000 Open Trot, 1-5 favorite Bacardi Lindy made one break behind the gate and another at the half, but still managed to get up for the win in 1:56.2. Steve Elliott trains Bacardi Lindy, a 4-year-old S J’s Photo stallion, for Robert Rosenheim Stables.

The Red Mile will host 14 heats on Thursday, August 30. The 2-year-olds will face off in leg three of the Kentucky Sires Stakes (KYSS). In the evening’s fourth race, Debbie Hall and Global Glamour will compete in the rubber match. These fillies have traded wins in the first two KYSS legs for trotters.

In the ninth race, MCA looks to continue her KYSS dominance in the pacing filly class. She won her first two KYSS legs by 5-3/4 and 4-3/4 lengths, respectively.