from Indiana Downs

Shelbyville, IN — A field of 15 freshman filly trotters converged on Indiana Downs on Friday evening, August 24, for two $115,400 divisions of the Kentuckiana Stallion Management Stakes.

The faster of the two splits was claimed by Creamy Mimi, a half-length winner in 1:57. Perretti Racing Stable and Black Horse Racing’s Valbruna posted a :28.1 final quarter to edge favorite Bether Always by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:57.4 in the other split.

Creamy Mimi (on the outside) edged Along The Way in a time of 1:57.

Don Irvine, Jr. and Creamy Mimi were able to work out a perfect trip behind favorite Along The Way to score the upset win on Friday night. Piloted by Mike Lachance, Along The Way clicked off fractions of :29, :59.2 and 1:29.2 before reaching the head of the stretch. Despite spotting the runner-up a sizable margin racing out of the turn, Irvine was able to gather up his Conway Hall filly and take a shot at the leader late in the mile.

“My filly almost made a break in the final 40 yards of the last turn,” Irvine explained. “I was holding her together and he (Lachance) got away from me. I got after her and she really flew then. She raced a tremendous last eighth of a mile.”

With a :27.2 final panel, Creamy Mimi reeled in Along The Way and assumed the lead to collect her first career victory, coming in her second start. In her debut, the freshman finished third in Review Stakes action. Creamy Mimi is owned by Marvin Katz and Al Libfield and is trained by Gro Formia.

In the first division on the program Valbruna added her second consecutive victory for trainer Ron Gurfein. Much like Creamy Mimi, the filly raced from off the pace to score her second win in three starts. She had difficulties in the turn as well.

Heather Clodfelter/Coady Photography

Mike Lachance piloted Valbruna to her second straight win.

“She had a tough time in the last turn,” Lachance explained. “I don’t know if she wasn’t grabbing the track completely.”

Despite the trouble in the last turn, the Conway Hall filly brushed past Bether Always in the stretch to earn the biggest payday of her short career.

Indiana Downs’ racing strip sizzled Friday as Two Weeks Notice established a new standard for trotters with a 1:52.1 score. The 6-year-old Yankee Glide gelding, driven by Rick Farrington, closed in :27.4 en route to a six length romp in the $17,000 Invitational. The winner is trained by Steve Waller.

The previous track record was shared by Two Weeks Notice and Los Barvos. Each gelding covered the mile in 1:53.3. Los Barvos set the mark in September 2004. Two Weeks Notice equaled the record in October 2006. The gelding is owned by Jason and Matt Sullinger of Lexington.