by Ray Cotolo, for Red Mile

Lexington, KY — Drafting in the pocket, Filibuster Hanover angled off the rail into the stretch, outsprinting pacesetter Huntsville to take the second of three divisions of the $220,200 Somebeachsomewhere Bluegrass 3-year-old colt and gelding pace, presented by the Somebeachsomewhere Syndicate and Hanover Shoe Farms, by a neck in 1:48.4 on Sunday (Oct. 1) at Red Mile.

Brushing to the lead moving into the turn, Caviart Ally won the second of two divisions of the $177,500 Galleria Bluegrass 3-year-old filly pace, presented by Fashion Farms, by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:51.

Filibuster Hanover defeats Huntsville by a nose at Red Mile on Sunday afternoon.

Sitting while Huntsville put up uncontested fractions of :27.2, :54.3, and 1:22, Filibuster Hanover had room to move off the rail as Ocean Colony, two lengths off the leader in third, faded from a far-turn bid first-over. Drawing alongside the odds-on favorite into the eighth pole, Filibuster Hanover took over command in the final strides, narrowly beating Huntsville as the second favorite while Ocean Colony finished three lengths back in third.

Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Jerry and Theresa Silva Stable, and Weaver Bruscemi, Filibuster Hanover, by Somebeachsomewhere out of the Western Hanover mare Fashion Ecstasy, won his sixth race in 28 starts, earning $669,958. Trained by Ron Burke and driven by Yannick Gingras, he paid $4.80 to win.

Mike’s Z Tam upset in the first division of the Bluegrass colt and gelding pace, tipping off cover to win by a head in 1:49.2 at 12-1.

Boogie Shuffle circled to take the front after Maroma Beach posted a :26.4 opening quarter. Pacing a half in :54.2, Boogie Shuffle was soon challenged by Miso Fast, moving first-over from fifth moving into the far turn. Miso Fast came within a length of the leader passing three-quarters in 1:22.3, eventually taking control in the stretch.

Mike’s Z Tam, positioned second over, angled wide to pursue Miso Fast, drawing alongside within the eighth pole and rallying to win narrowly, with Boogie Shuffle a length back in third.

Paying $27.60 to win, Mike’s Z Tam, a gelding by Bettor’s Delight from the Western Ideal mare Ideal Observation, races for the interests of Pat Lachance, Z Tam Stables, M and M Harness Racing LLC, and Royal Flush Stable LLC. Trained and driven by Pat Lachance, the gelding won his eighth race in 28 starts, earning $153,656 in the process.

Sent off the 3-5 favorite, Art Scene won the final Bluegrass colt and gelding pace division going wire to wire in 1:49.4.

Grabbing the front, Art Scene set splits of :27.3 and :55.2 before being challenged by Last Gunfighter around the far turn. Applying minor pressure, Last Gunfighter soon faltered past three-quarters in 1:23.1 leaving Art Scene unchallenged on the lead. Blood Line, sitting the pocket, rallied into contention, while Mac’s Jackpot, sitting third, attempted to close in as well.

Art Scene held a three-quarter lengths lead on the line, with Blood Line finishing second and Mac’s Jackpot third.

Art Scene, by American Ideal from the Artsplace mare Lover Of Art, won his fourth race in 16 starts, earning $291,327 for owners Brittany Farms, Alagna Racing, In The Gym Partners, and American Art Stable. Trained by Tony Alagna and driven by Scott Zeron, he paid $3.20 to win.

Nigel Soult photos

Caviart Ally claims her second consecutive Grand Circuit victory on Sunday at Red Mile.

Caviart Ally fastest in Bluegrass filly pace

Awash went for the front, setting a :27.1 quarter before undergoing pressure from Caviart Ally through a :55.2 half. Inverse Hanover, sitting fourth, angled first-over moving into the far turn, advancing towards new leader, Caviart Ally, at three-quarters in 1:24 before Caviart Ally kicked away by three lengths into the stretch. V String, from second-over, fanned wide, rallying down the center of the course to finish second, while Magic Forces, shooting up the inside, took third.

Owned by Caviart Farms, Caviart Ally, by Bettor’s Delight from the No Nukes mare Allamerican Cool, won her ninth race in 30 starts, earning $629,625. Trained by Noel Daley and driven by Andrew McCarthy, she paid $2.20 to win.

Tequila Monday took control before the half to take the first division of the Bluegrass filly pace in 1:51.1.

Sitting third, Tequila Monday circled to overtake tempo setter Ella Christina following a :28.2 opening quarter, going on to lead at the half in :56.3. Challenged by Rosemary Rose, pulling first over from fourth, around the turn, Tequila Monday held control at three-quarters in 1:24 before Rosemary Rose faltered, leaving room for Ella Christina to rally. Tequila Monday held on by a neck at the line, holding off pocket-popper Ella Christina, with Rosemary Rose finishing third.

By American Ideal from the Ponder mare Margarita Monday, Tequila Monday, winning her eighth race in 18 starts this season and her 12th race in 23 starts overall, has earned $530,023 for owners Northfork Racing Stable and Chuck Pompey. Conditioned by Chris Oakes and driven by David Miller, she paid $3.40 to win.

Grand Circuit racing continues at Red Mile on Thursday (Oct. 5) with the International Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters. First race post is 1 p.m. EDT.