by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Manager

Lexington, KY — The 2010 Grand Circuit season kicked off on Thursday (Oct. 14) at The Red Mile with four divisions in the $353,000 Bluegrass Stakes for 2-year-old filly trotters. On a cool fall afternoon, the front end was not the place to be as all of the winners came from off the pace.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Caretaker Maria Alexander holds Cedar Dove in the winner’s circle.

In the $87,500 opening division, Adam Victor & Son Stable and John Fielding’s Cedar Dove came charging down the middle of the track to catch Pilgrims Truffles at the wire for the victory in a time of 1:59.1. Ron Pierce was in the bike for trainer Noel Daley as the Andover Hall-Pine For Her filly won for the first time in just three career starts. The $55,000 yearling purchase lifted her career bankroill to $55,875 with the maiden breaking win.

Hot Off The Press and driver Andy Miller left alertly from post seven and cut the fractions in this race, taking the field to the quarter in :29.2, the half in 1:01.2 and the three-quarters in 1:31.4. Pilgrims Truffles (John Campbell) came first over at the three-quarters and took over the lead in the stretch, but could not hold off the winner who got up in a photo at the wire. Hot Off The Press saved the show position.

“She was much more relaxed than usual,” said Pierce of Cedar Dove. “I had no trouble today.”

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Brooklyn was a 1:59.2 winner for Tim Tetrick in the second division.

Adam Victor & Son Stable returned to the winner’s circle in the $88,500 second division when Brooklyn rallied in the lane to score in a lifetime best time of 1:59.2. Tim Tetrick was in the bike for trainer Frank Antonacci as the Conway Hall-Anna Karin’s Girl miss posted her fourth win in six career starts. She has now banked $68,249.

Sashay and Ron Pierce led this field of eight though panels of :29, :57.4 and 1:28.2. Brooklyn, who was third for most of the mile, tipped off the wood on the final turn and followed the live cover of the pocket-sitting Epona Blue Chip (Ray Schnittker). These two dueled down the lane with Brooklyn getting the final call. Epona Blue Chip held second while Unique Bluestone (Dave Magee) came on to be third.

“She’s really professional,” said trainer Frank Antonacci. “She wants to do the right thing so that helps. We’ll be back here next week (for the International Stallion Stakes).”

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Wincinnatti grabbed the lead in the lane before finishing in a dead heat with Lady Rainbow.

The third division, also for an $88,500 purse, resulted in a dead heat for win between Wincinnatti (John Campbell) and Lady Rainbow (Rick Zeron) in a time of 1:57.4.

Creme De Cocoa and D.R. Ackerman tried to wire the field through moderate fractions of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:30.2. Both Wincinnatti and Lady Rainbow were far off the pace, with Campbell the first to make a move on the final turn. They passed Creme De Cocoa and took over the lead, only to be caught at the shadow of the wire by Lady Rainbow. The photo finish camera could not separate the duo. Miss Sue V (Brian Sears) finished third with Creme De Cocoa fourth.

Wincinnatti (Windsong’s Legacy-Enbeecee), owned by Jason, Douglas and Ronald Allen is trained by Brett Bittle. The victory was her second in five starts and lifted her earnings to $25,125. Lady Rainbow (Muscles Yankee-Sunshinenlollipops) is owned by Rick Zeron Stables, The Camel Club Stable, Rojan Stables and Herbert Chambers. Zeron is also the trainer. The win was her third in seven lifetime starts and lifted her bankroll to $153,071.

“She raced first up a long way,” said Campbell of Wincinnatti. “It was a really good effort for a green filly.”

“When John came out in front of me, I knew we were walking,” added Zeron. “My filly was trotting as fast as I wanted her to. I wasn’t sure if I got there.”

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Tight Pants ran her winning streak to six with a 1:59 triumph on Thursday.

The $88,500 final division saw Melvin Hartman, Herb Liverman and David McDuffee’s Tight Pants come charging down the lane from last to first to post a 1:59 victory. The triumph was the sixth in a row (after going winless in her first three career starts) for the Muscles Yankee-Soutaine Hanover filly who was driven by David Miller for trainer “Nifty” Norman. Her share of the purse lifted her 2010 bankroll to $134,080.

Caitrin Hall (Tim Tetrick) was second and Massive Drama (John Campbell) finished third. Brian Sears and Baby I’m Bad News cut fractions of :29.4, :59.4 and 1:31 but tired badly in the lane and finished seventh.

“We haven’t raced her from behind,” said co-owner David McDuffee, “but today we did. She’s a great gaited filly.”