by Nick Salvi for the Red Mile

Donato Hanover impressed again on Thursday with an effortless win in his division of the International Stallion Stakes (INSS) on what turned into a cool, overcast afternoon at The Red Mile. Driver Ron Pierce raced him on the lead throughout under conditions contrary to that approach. The Andover Hall colt meandered through slow numbers, reaching three quarters in 1:30 before Pierce gave him the green light to sprint and he responded with a 27.2 final quarter, coasting to an open length victory. The win was the sixth in seven outings for owners David Scharf, Golden Touch Stable and Steve Arnold. Steve Elliott trains. Great Success tracked the winner for the place and Snowboarder closed for third.

Nigel Soult photo

Donato Hanover was an impressive winner in his division of the International Stallion Stakes.

Milton Zet went from a maiden to a stakes winner in the first division while the sun shone for trainer Jimmy Takter and owner Brixton Medical Ab. The Pine Chip colt benefited from a second-over trip behind Operation Lindy, courtesy of John Campbell, and sprinted home in 1:56.1 to a clear victory. Operation Lindy stayed for second and Edgestone Hanover was third.

The third division yielded the day’s first upset as Monkey Bones rewarded driver Steve Smith for a perfect pocket trip by blasting past the leader and scoring his first Grand Circuit stake win. Smith positioned his colt behind the favored Jimmy Shin from the start as that one trotted through pedestrian fractions, reaching the three quarter station in 1:31.3. Monkey Bones ripped from the two hole and sprinted clear, tripping the timer in 1:59 for a 27.2 final panel. Xactly Hanover closed in for the place. Gary Stetson owns and Karen Garland trains the winner, another by first crop sire Andover Hall.

Quite Easy made it two on the day for the Takter barn and three for Andover Hall as the heavy favorite in his division. This one was also treated to a perfect cover trip by Campbell and kicked home powerfully for the score. The strapping colt was winning for the seventh time in nine outings for the Quite Easy Partners. Gladiator Lindy continued to impress, a game second after three moves over the course of the mile. Artistic AS held for third after setting most of the fractions

The INSS pacing fillies were split into four $80,000 divisions and the last division was a thriller. By that point in the day, no one wanted to commit to the early lead so they lined up quickly behind race favorite Isabella Blue Chip. She was permitted slow fractions as Dave Miller tried to conserve her strength as much as possible.

Heading by the half in 59 seconds, John Campbell tipped Little Miss Dragon from fifth and rushed hard at the leader, who countered by pacing with her through a 26.3 third quarter into the wind. Those two raced valiantly as a team right to the wire, only to see Native Hanover, held just off the pace throughout by Mark Mac Donald, slip past in the last few steps for her maiden breaking win in 1:53.4. The winner is a Panderosa filly, trained by Noel Daley for Adam Victor & Son and the Blue Chip Farms.

Cabana Fever was absolutely flying through the stretch to win her division of the INSS for driver Ryan Anderson. She followed up behind cover as Cantor’s Daughter was allowed to dawdle through slow numbers on the front. When Anderson showed her racetrack she blistered home in 26 to record the 1:54 score. Liberty Skiberty parlayed a rail ride by Lachance into a place finish and Daily Laugh rallied past the others for third.

The second pacing split went to Al’s Girl, a repeat Grand Circuit stake winner for trainer Jerry Silverman and driver Brian Sears. In contrast to her Bluegrass victory of last week, Al’s Girl was sent to the lead at the three-eighths by Sears and had to sprint home in 26.1 to hold the ground saving Calgary Hanover at bay. Art’s Fantasy came first over and stayed for third.

Yankee Augusta also became a repeat winner for owner and trainer Dan Creighton, blasting off her cover to win as handily as last week in 1:52.4. Dave Miller was back in the saddle on the Western Hanover filly, a winner now in four of her six appearances.

Tomorrow’s highlights are the Kentucky Filly Futurity and Glen Garnsey Memorial at 12:30.