by Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile

Lexington, KY — Flanagan Memory fanned off cover and trotted down the center of the track to take the $101,000 Allerage Farms Open Trot in 1:51.2 on Sunday (Oct. 9) at The Red Mile.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Flanagan Memory rallied in the lane to win the Allerage Farms Open Trot in 1:51.2.

JL Cruze was sent to the lead, clearing early race-leader Musical Rhythm through a :27.2 opening quarter. After a :55 half, JL Cruze braced for the challenge of Obrigado into the far turn. They were stride for stride after a 1:24.1 third-quarter before JL Cruze reemerged to the lead.

Crazy Wow, tracking Obrigado from second over, edged three wide and trotted by JL Cruze to take the lead before Flanagan Memory and Brian Sears rushed down the course to grab command. Crazy Wow took second, while JL Cruze held third.

A 6-year-old horse by Kadabra out of the Yankee Glide mare Classy Stacy, Flanagan Memory won his 18th race in 65 career tries, compiling $1,163,070 for owners Liette Flanagan and trainer Rene Dion. He paid $5.00 to win.

“I was real happy to be third over,” winning driver Brian Sears said. “I was just hoping Mark (MacDonald on Obrigado) went out a little bit and didn’t wait too long for Ake (Svanstedt on Centurion ATM) to make a decision. This horse loves to finish up in the last quarter, so we were in a good position.

“He has gotten better and better through the years. I was fortunate to drive him a year ago and win the (John) Cashman at the Meadowlands. He was a little disappointing in Canada a couple of weeks ago (in the Maple Leaf Trot), but I’m glad we’re going in on a positive note; we have the International Trot coming up.”