The French gelding, 8-year-old Inexess Bleu with Alexandre Abrivard, won Saturday afternoon’s (July 25) Group II race, the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, over 1 3/4 miles at the Enghien track in Paris.
Author: by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Senior Newsroom Correspondent
2-year-old colt pace Ohio Sires Stakes action at Scioto Downs
Two $75,000 divisions of the Ohio Sires Stakes for 2-year-old colt pacers were held Saturday (July 25) at Eldorado Scioto Downs. Both divisions went in 1:52, but each was won by horses in different stages of their freshman campaign – Night Surfer won in his first lifetime start, but it was Don’ttruckwithme who is now undefeated, winning his first three lifetime races in impressive fashion.
Bender Sweeps INSS on Five Win Night at Hoosier
Anderson, IN — Atlee Bender ended the week of racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park in style, racking up five wins on the night including sweeping both $67,500 divisions of Indiana Sire Stakes for two-year-old trotting fillies on Saturday (July 25).
Oaks bound Jailbird Jog wins at Big M
Jailbird Jog prepared for next week’s Hambletonian Oaks eliminations in fine style Saturday (July 25) night at The Meadowlands, taking the $68,650 Tompkins-Geers Stake for 3-year-old trotting fillies in a lifetime-best 1:51.2.
Mickie Mantle comes flying late to steal featured pace at Tioga
Mickie Mantle (Ridge Warren) captures the featured $25,000 Jim McDonald Memorial Pace Final at Tioga Downs on Friday (July 24).
Little Town Road fires late to win Open Trot at Vernon
Little Town Road (Aaron Byron) captures the $8,500 Open Trot at Vernon Downs on Friday (July 24).
Commander Crunch equals Bedford (PA)’s track record, 1:55.2
The Captain Crunch sophomore pacing gelding Commander Crunch, purchased only nine days ago, equaled the all-age track record of 1:55.2 at the Bedford (PA) Fair during Pennsylvania Fair Sire Stakes competition for 3-year-olds on Friday (July 24). The mark of 1:55.2 had been recorded by the filly Tiamogonedancen in 2021 and the gelding Captaincountrystar in 2023.
Matthew Stolte co-owns both filly feature winners at Philly Friday
A pair of $12,000 paces for up-and-coming females were the lead races at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Friday (July 24)afternoon, with owner Matthew Stolte seeing half of his four-horse stable (according to USTA records) sweep the features.
Churchview Meow IR wins feature at Vernon
Churchview Meow IR (Chris Long) charges late to capture $5,500 featured fillies & mares’ pace at Vernon Downs on Thursday (July 23).
Montana GB rides late brush to Plainridge victory
Despite spotting the field a dozen lengths early, Montana GB still won easily in the featured $17,000 conditioned pace at Plainridge Park on Thursday (July 23).