by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Manager

Lexington, KY — Fashion Feline was a straight heat winner in the $311,000 Kentucky Filly Futurity for 3-year-olds on Saturday (Oct. 16) at The Red Mile.

In the $69,975 opening division of the first heat, Fashion Feline found racing room down the lane to score in 1:53, a mile which equaled her personal best. Dave Palone was in the bike for trainer Jim Campbell as the Fashion Farms homebred posted her fourth win in nine starts. The Broadway Hall-Sly Fox filly nearly doubled her season’s earnings to $70,062.

USTA/Mark Hall Photos

Fashion Feline (7) drew clear to win the first Kentucky Filly Futurity elimination heat in 1:53.

There was plenty of action on the front end as Full Tank was the leader at the :27.3 quarter, then yielded to Ultimate Cameron at the :55.4 half-mile marker. Breeders Crown champion Impressive Kemp was the new leader at the 1:24 three-quarter pole.

Down the lane Palone was able to guide Fashion Feline to the front and they drew clear for the win. Springtime Volo (John Campbell) rallied to finish second, with Cantab It All (Yannick Gingras) third. Fourth place finisher Impressive Kemp and fifth place finisher Bramalea Hanover also advanced to the second heat.

“I wasn’t sure what I was going to do,” said driver Dave Palone when discussing his pre-race strategy, “but I was content just to find a seat. We just got a great trip and she really loves the clay.”

The other $69,975 first heat division went to Action-Broadway and driver George Brennan, who found room at the rail in the deep stretch to score in a time of 1:53.2. Bred and owned by Kenneth Sommer, the Virgil Morgan, Jr. trainee made her sixth winner’s circle appearance in 13 2010 trips. This check lifted her season’s earnings to $143,903.

Action-Broadway, driven by George Brennan, scored in her elimination heat in 1:53.2.

“I was able to squeeze out late and dip to the inside,” said Brennan of his winning move.

Bone A Fide and Yannick Gingras fired out of the ten hole and led this field through splits of :28.2, :56.2 and 1:25. Christiana Hanover (Riina Rekila) was first to move heading to the three-quarter pole and grabbed the lead at the top of the stretch, but could not hold off Brennan and Action-Broadway. Christiana Hanover did finish second with Costa Rica third for Ron Pierce. Glide Power and Spicy Wings grabbed the final two spots in the second heat, but Spicy Wings was scratched.

In the $108,850 second heat, Fashion Feline came first over at the three-quarter pole and took over the lead from Action-Broadway, then went on to the victory in a time of 1:53.3.

Cantab It All took the early lead with Costa Rica in second, Action-Broadway third and Fashion Feline fourth. The quarter went in :28.2.

Brennan pulled Action-Broadway off the wood and they took dead aim on the leaders. They cleared to the front at the :56.1 half-mile marker and were still in front at the 1:25.1 three-quarter pole.

Jim Campbell, trainer of Fashion Feline, accepts the Kentucky Filly Futurity trophy in the winner’s circle.

Fashion Feline pulled from fourth on the final turn, was up to second by the head of the lane and then went right on by Action-Broadway. Christiana Hanover rallied down the stretch to finish second while Bramalea Hanover was fourth placed third after a pair of disqualifications. Action-Broadway faded to seventh, but was placed up to fifth.

“She loves this track,” said trainer Jim Campbell. “(Fashion Feline) and Palone get along well. The Siegels are really proud of their filly and being a Broadway Hall makes this extra special.

“She was on her game today. When she’s on her game she can do anything.”