Fresh from her authoritative winner’s circle return in the Bluegrass Stakes, Papi Grad looks to potentially wrap the bow on her freshman campaign when starting in the second of three divisions for the $245,800 International Stallion Stakes (ISS), for 2-year-old pacing fillies, on Friday (Oct. 4) at the Red Mile.
Author: by Ray Cotolo, for the Red Mile
Naughty Beauty, second session set records in Lexington
Pacing filly Naughty Beauty, a daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Beautyonthebeach, was purchased for $550,000 by Andrew Harris as agent for William Pollock on Tuesday (Oct. 1) to lead the second session of the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, at the Fasig-Tipton Pavilion.
Little Miss Peyton, Givens star Tuesday at Harrington
Donna Messick’s Little Miss Peyton ($2.10, Corey Callahan) was a dominant 1:56.2 winner and the fastest of a trio of 2-year-old Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund (DSBF) filly pacing divisional winners Tuesday (Oct. 1) at Harrington Raceway.
Belmondo sets Mass. Breeders Stakes record
Another record was broken in the Massachusetts Breeders Stakes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Oct. 1) afternoon, and another was tied in the second leg for 2-year-olds of both gaits and sexes who lined up behind the gate in seven races that totaled $315,000 in purse money.
Two paces, two trots featured Tuesday at Pocono
A quartet of $15,000 races — two for conditioned pacers and two for claiming trotters — topped the Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 1) program at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.
Batavia guarantees Wed. Pick-5 at $7,500
With no one hitting the Pick-5 again at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 28) night, there will be a $2,112 carryover for that wager in the first race on Wednesday (Oct. 2). Track management has announced that pool will be guaranteed at $7,500 through the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program.
Maximus Mearas S stays unbeaten with Bluegrass win
Lucas Wallin trainee Maximus Mearas S made a successful leap into Grand Circuit company with a facile come-from-behind score in 1:54 to take the second of five divisions of the $387,500 Bluegrass 2-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Trot at the Red Mile on Thursday afternoon (Sept. 26).
Papi Grad grand in Bluegrass
Steve Carter trainee Papi Grad, in the face of a far-turn blitz, remained resolute and rebuffed first-over challenger Looksgoodinloulou to coast to a 1:51 victory in the second of four divisions of the $387,500 Bluegrass 2-Year-Old Filly Pace on Thursday afternoon (Sept. 26) at the Red Mile.
Beckwith five-bagger buoyed by Fourever Boy
Brett Beckwith, who is currently the second leading dash driver in North America, significantly added to his already lofty victory count after winning five races at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Sept. 26) afternoon. Those wins included a natural hat trick — in the eighth, ninth and 10th races — to close out the card.
Khaosan Road photos Chake in Philly trot
The International Moni gelding Khaosan Road added back-to-back fast-class feature trot wins at Harrah’s Philadelphia to his impressive resume after just surviving the inside charge of Chake to prevail in 1:52.4 on Thursday (Sept. 26).