by T.J. Burkett

Lexington, KY — The 3-year-olds squared off in the first leg of Kentucky Sires Stakes action on Monday night, August 13, at The Red Mile, with three of last year’s champions beginning to successfully defend their KYSS titles on a crowded 18-race card.

Digital Z Tam won his $20,000 KYSS leg for 3-year-old colt pacers in a blistering 1:50.2, knocking two seconds off his lifetime best. Driven by Mike Lachance, the Cambest gelding sat the pocket behind Real Energy and driver Kyle Bolon through a half in :54.2 before drawing off to win his third of the year. MJGB Racing Stables owns Digital Z Tam, last year’s winner of the $200,000 KYSS final, with Pat Lachance handling training duties.

Classy 3-year-old trotting filly Godiva Hall showed she’s still the queen in the Bluegrass State with an off-the-pace, 1:56.3 win in her $50,000 KYSS leg. Dave Palone masterfully steered the defending champ past 11 other fillies for trainer Peter Foley and co-owners Steve Oldford, Eugene Oldford and North South Partners. Walnut Hall Ltd. bred the Like A Prayer filly.

Prayer I Am picked up his first win of the year with a 1:54.2 score in a $50,000 KYSS leg for 3-year-old trotting colts. The Like A Prayer colt was driven by Tom Sells for trainer Kevin Thomas and owner Roy Dobbins. Prayer I Am also snagged the $200,000 KYSS final last year.

Millionaire and North America Cup winner Tell All made his mark on the red clay with an impressive open-length win in 1:50.4 in his $20,000 KYSS leg for sophomore pacing colts. My Desire Stable and trainer Blair Burgess watched Dave Palone drive the Real Desire colt to his seventh win in 15 starts. Tell All has now earned over $1.1 million in his first season on the track. Tom Crouch bred the star colt.

After 34 heats of racing in two days, The Red Mile will take a short respite before racing again on Thursday (August 16) at 6:30 p.m. KYSS action continues next Monday night, August 20.