by Tom LaMarra, Red Mile Communications Department

Lexington, KY — Quick Credit, winner of the New York Sires Stakes Final in her most recent start, on the half-mile track at Saratoga Raceway, made her Lexington debut a winning one with a strong, 1:56 victory in one of five divisions of the Norman Woolworth Memorial — the Bluegrass Stakes — for 2-year-old filly trotters on Wednesday at the Red Mile. Purses for the five divisions totaled $385,000.

Quick Credit and driver John Campbell were alone at the wire

With John Campbell driving for trainer Paul Kelley, Quick Credit (by Credit Winner) sat third on the pylons for most of the mile while Garland Crown OM cut sharp fractions of :28, :56, and 1:25². the favored Miss Wisconsin had an eventful trip; she left from post position eight and never found the inside, and hung tough until just before the three-quarter mark, but faded.

Campbell popped Quick Credit off of the pylons and she trotted away nicely and won by four lengths over Garland Crown OM and Azalea Gal.

“She’s professional and push-button,” Campbell said after the race. “She’s just like an aged pacer to drive. Paul told me she won easily (in New York), but with those (state-bred) programs it’s always a guessing game.”

Quick Credit won for the sixth time in eight career starts, most of them in New York-bred stakes company on half-mile tracks, and the winner’s share of the $77,400 purse pushed her career earnings to $180,391.

In other divisions of the Norman Woolworth Memorial the winners included Sand Maralargo, driven by Eric Ledford for trainer Seldon Ledford, who won in 1:57 and notched her second win in eight career starts. Celebrity Sweedie finished second and Stardust finished third. Sand Malalargo, by Malabar Man, is owned d’Elegance Stable IX, Carmen Iannacone, Royal Flush Stable, and Ledford Racing.

The Red Mile/Nigel Soult photos

Queen Serene, nearest the camera, won for the second time this year

Queen Serene, driven by trainer Trond Smedshammer, won another division, which was her second win in five starts, this one in 1:57¹. Klipspringer finished second and Zeta Jones finished third. Queen Serene, by Dream Vacation, is owned by Timo Yi Panula.

Macaria Hanover, driven by Dave Palone for trainer Doug Miller, won yet another split, her second race in three career starts, this one 1:58¹. Gluteus Maximus finished second and Northernpossession finished third. Macaria Hanover, by Lindy Lane, is owned by William Weaver III.

Passionate Glide, driven by Ron Pierce for trainer Jimmy Takter, won the other division, in 1:58², which was her third victory in six career starts. Muscle Chips finished second and Vintage Boko finished third. Passionate Glide, by Yankee Glide, is owned by Brittany Farms.