by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Manager

Lexington, KY — The freshman pacing fillies shared the spotlight on Friday (Oct. 14) at The Red Mile in the $315,000 Bluegrass Stakes. A trio of $105,000 divisions were part of the outstanding Grand Circuit card in Lexington.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Cold Mist (Tim Tetrick) nipped Honky Tonk Woman (David Miller) in a time of 1:55.

The first division saw a pair of top fillies battle to the wire with Cold Mist (Tim Tetrick) just nipping Honky Tonk Woman (David Miller) in a time of 1:55. Owned by Old Block Stables Inc., Kenneth Klein and trainer Steve Elliott, the daughter of McArdle-Cold And Clear scored for the third time in 11 trips behind the gate, with $239,674 in earnings.

Emilio’s Stride (Jim Morrill, Jr.) set the fractions in this race, taking the field to the quarter in :28, the half in :57.3 and the three-quarters in 1:26.4. Honky Tonk Woman came first over on the final turn, grabbed the lead in the stretch, but could not withstand the closing kick of Cold Mist and ended up second. Celebrity Dollfin (Brian Sears) was third, with Emilio’s Stride having to settle for fourth.

“Honky Tonk Woman is a hard mare to get by,” said winning driver Tim Tetrick. “It took me the whole lane to get there, but we got the job done.”

In the second division, Rick Phillips’ Southwind Jazmin brushed from sixth to first on the backstretch and went on to a 1:52.3 victory. Jim Morrill, Jr. was in the bike for trainer Mark Harder as the Art Major-Juliet’s Fate filly ran her 2010 slate to five victories in 10 trips behind the gate, with a bankroll of $147,026.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

In the second division, Southwind Jazmin brushed from sixth to first on the backstretch and went on to a 1:52.3 victory.

Fashion Mystery and Ron Pierce took the field to the opening quarter in :28, before yielding to the big move by Southwind Jazmin. The winner was on top at the :56.4 half and 1:25.4 three-quarters, then remained strong down the lane in scoring in the lifetime best clocking. Shyaway (Brian Sears) rallied to finish second, while Swinging Beauty (Jody Jamieson) was third.

“There’s a good wind down the backstretch,” said Morrill. “She (Southwind Jazmin) just wanted racetrack so I gave it to her.”

The final division was the fastest of the trio as Strike An Attitude and John Campbell cruised to an impressive 1:51.2 clocking, a lifetime best for the Western Hanover-Strike A Balance juvenile. Owned by Robert McIntosh Stables, Paul Ysebaert, and C S X Stables, Strike An Attitude posted her fifth career score in 12 starts, lifting her earnings to $392,234.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

In the final division Strike An Attitude and John Campbell cruised to a 1:51.2 clocking, a lifetime best for the Western Hanover-Strike A Balance juvenile.

Asteria Blue Chip (Tim Tetrick) was the leader at the opening quarter in :27.2, then yielded to Strike An Attitude, who was on the front on the outside at the half in :56. Strike An Attitude took the field to the three-quarters in 1:24.4, then was in hand in pacing a final quarter of :26.3.

Asteria Blue Chip held on to finish second, while All Tucked Up (Jody Jamieson) was third.

“Needless to say I was impressed,” said driver John Campbell. “She’s very quick. I got her to the front, then she relaxed and backed off the third quarter. She then took off when I asked her.

“It’s always fun to drive for Bob (trainer/co-owner McIntosh).”