Lexington, KY — Bourbon Courage handed Peter Haughton Memorial winner Kilmister his first loss, and Strong Poison collected her third sire stakes win in Sunday’s (Sept. 4) $80,000 fourth-round Kentucky Championship series legs for 2-year-olds at the Red Mile. The 13-race card also included two $30,000 fourth-round legs of the Kentucky Commonwealth series and six $15,000 fourth-round legs of the Kentucky Golden Rod series, all for 2-year-olds.

The Championship division for 2-year-old male trotters was the last race on the card, but the adage of saving the best for last rang true as Bourbon Courage (driven by Trace Tetrick) overhauled leader Excalibur Bi (Andy McCarthy) to score by a neck in 1:53.1 for Hall of Fame trainer Erv Miller.

The complexion of this contest changed before the field of nine left the starting gate as heavy favorite Kilmister (Brian Sears) went off stride. Todd McCarthy placed Point Of Perfect on the lead to set the first fraction of :29. Excalibur Bi moved from third position to take the lead before the :56.4 half and continued to lead the field through three-quarters in 1:25. Dire Straits (Mattias Melander) had moved into second as Bourbon Courage began to advance from seventh. Excalibur Bi proved to be a stubborn foe, and it took the length of the stretch for Bourbon Courage to get his nose down on the wire in a new lifetime best. French Wine (Andy Miller) closed from sixth to finish third.

Bourbon Courage defeated Excalibur Bi by a neck in a lifetime best 1:53.1 to improve his record to 5-3-0-1.

Kilmister, who won the first five starts of his career, was never a factor and came home last.

Bred by Carter Duer, Bourbon Courage (You Know You Do-Luv U All) is a half-brother to last year’s Hambletonian winner, Captain Corey. He now sports a record of 5-3-0-1, has banked $119,290 for Bowie Racing, D & M Trading II and Anthony Lombardi, and paid $31.18 to win.

Strong Poison (Sears) outlasted Zanatta (A. Miller) to collect her second consecutive victory, and her third in the Championship series for freshman filly pacers, winning by a nose in 1:51. Trained by Ron Burke, the daughter of Always B Miki-Fiyonce left from post position two and was second by a head to Zanatta as that rival led the field of five through the first quarter in :29. Strong Poison assumed command through a half mile in :56 and continued on the lead through three-quarters in 1:23.4 with Zanatta in second.
It was a battle to the wire as the two fillies dueled down the stretch, but Strong Poison came out on top. Caviart Marcella (A. McCarthy) was along for third.

Strong Poison held off Zanatta by a nose in 1:51, and her record now stands at 7-4-1-0. Amanda Stephens photos.

Bred by Steve Stewart, Charles Nash and Julie Nash, Strong Poison improved her record to 7-4-1-0 and has now amassed $144,000 for Burke Racing Stable, J&T Silva Stables, Knox Services and Beasty LLC. She has performed admirably in this series as her only loss was a second-place finish behind Twin B Joe Fresh in the second leg in a 1:48.4 mile. Strong Poison paid $2.34 to win as the heavy favorite.

The $30,000 Commonwealth division for 2-year-old filly pacers was won by Hungry For Love (Sears), and the split for freshman male trotters was won by Espresso (A. Miller).

The three $15,000 Golden Rod contests for freshman filly trotters were captured by Prideful (A. Miller), Late For Dinner (T. McCarthy) and Caris (A. McCarthy). The three events for 2-year-old male pacers were won by Mohatu As (Tony Hall), Prince Of Honor (T. McCarthy) and Country Dagger (Sears).

Sears had three wins in sire stakes events and Todd McCarthy had three wins on the entire card.

Sire stakes action continues Monday (Sept. 5) and Tuesday (Sept. 6) at the Red Mile.

On Monday, there will be a $7,500 guaranteed Pick-4 beginning in race six, offered in conjunction with the U.S. Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering program. The same wager will also be available on the Tuesday card. First post both days is 1 p.m. EDT.