by Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile

Lexington, KY — Darlinonthebeach kicked off her cover at the top of the stretch and sprinted to a 1:48.1 victory to win the second of two divisions of the $213,500 Glen Garnsey Memorial on Sunday (Oct. 9) at The Red Mile.

Darlinonthebeach rolls to victory in the second division of the Glen Garnsey Memorial on Sunday at The Red Mile.

Getting away fifth as Penpal cleared command in :26.2, Darlinonthebeach flushed Rock Me Baby first over at the half-mile, timed in :55. Blue Moon Stride, having brushed to the top after yielding to Penpal at the quarter-mile, was challenged by Rock Me Baby at three-quarters in 1:22.1. Darlinonthebeach tipped off her cover at the head of the stretch and drew away from the field on her way to the wire. Kiss Me Onthebeach closed down the center of the track to take second, while Penpal slid up the pylons for third.

A 3-year-old filly by Somebeachsomewhere out of the Bettor’s Delight mare Darlin’s Delight, Darlinonthebeach won her 12th race in 28 starts, amassing $830,823 for owner White Birch Farms. Trained by Nancy Johansson and driven by David Miller, she paid $3.00.

“It worked out just the way I wanted it to there,” Miller said. “We had a bit of a pace on the lead and she felt comfortable the whole way; felt like I had a lot of horse. She’s an all-around professional; she’s pretty handy and will do whatever you want to do. She was a bit of a bully earlier in the year and we’ve worked with her. She has learned how to race and she’s a big strong horse who can carry her speed really good. I couldn’t be happier for Marcus and Nancy and all the connections with her. I’ve always been a big fan of her; I’ve been high on her all season. It started out a little rough, but I kept telling them it was going to get better.”

Sent off the 1-2 favorite, Pure Country stalled in her first-over bid around the far turn before hitting her best stride and storming by pacesetter Call Me Queen Be to win the other division of the Glen Garnsey in 1:48.2.

USTA/Mark Hall photos

Pure Country takes the first division of the Glen Garnsey Memorial in style in 1:48.2 at The Red Mile on Sunday.

Leading through splits of :27.1, :55, and 1:21.4, Call Me Queen Be held an uncontested lead. Pure Country was first-over but about two lengths off the lead at the top of the stretch, chasing Call Me Queen Be along with pocket-sitter Lakeisha Hall and Lindwood Beachgirl behind her. Pure Country drifted towards the center of the track as she edged past Call Me Queen Be to win.

Winning her 18th race in 28 starts, Pure Country, a 3-year-old filly by Somebeachsomewhere out of the Western Hanover mare Western Montana, has earned $1,649,968 for owner Diamond Creek Racing. She’s trained by Jimmy Takter, was driven by Brett Miller, and paid $3.00 to win.

“She’s a pure champion,” Takter said. “It’s not easy to stay at the highest (tier) throughout the year. She hasn’t been undefeated, but at the same token, this has been a great, great group of 3-year-old fillies this year.”

“She has been really good to us and we take it one race at a time,” Adam Bowden of Diamond Creek Racing said. “We’ll make a decision (on her career) when the season’s over.”