by Paul Ramlow, assistant publicity director, United States Trotting Association
Lexington, KY — The Friday afternoon (October 1) program at The Red Mile featured a pair of divisions of the Bluegrass for three-year-old filly pacers.
In the $96,200 first division, Marvin Rounick’s Glowing Report took over the lead past the opening quarter and cruised to an easy three and a half length victory in a career best time of 1:50.4. George Brennan steered the Artsplace lass to her third straight victory and fourth in 17 season’s starts. The Jerry Silverman-trainee hiked her 2004 earnings to $303,697.
Mambo Hall and pilot Brian Sears left alertly from post four and took the field to the opening quarter in :27 with Pantidepressant (Daniel Dube) second and Glowing Report third. Brennan pulled his mount off the rail as the field hit the backstretch and took over the lead at the half-mile marker in :55. From there it was all Glowing Report through subsequent fractions of 1:23.4 and 1:50.4.
Ice Sculpture (David Miller) rallied to finish second, with She’s My Belle (John Campbell) third. Pantidepressant and Apple Krisp (Catello Manzi) round out the money winners.
Sent off as the prohibitive favorite, Glowing Report paid $3.60 to win.
The $95,200 second division was captured by Shirley and Arthur Le Vin’s Nu-Diamond Star in a driving finish in a personal best 1:51.2.
Mike Lachance was in the bike for trainer Homer Hochstetler as the Artiscape filly garnered her fifth victory in 14 trips to the post in ’04. Nu-Diamond Star increased her season’s payroll to $196,227.
Fie Foe Fire (Brian Sears) was the early leader through an opening quarter in :27.1 with heavily favored Kikikatie (Dale Hiteman) parked out second. Kikikatie cleared to the lead on the backstretch and took the field past the half-mile marker in :54.2. She was still on top at the 1:23 three-quarter pole, but Armbro Bombay (Ron Pierce) challenged her on the final turn and paced right on by heading down the stretch. Armbro Bombay looked to be a winner, but fell to the late rush of Nu-Diamond Star by a neck. So Artsi (John Campbell) rallied to finish third, with Kikikatie fading to fourth. Fie Foe Fire grabbed the final check.
Nu-Diamond Star paid $11.00 to win.