Lexington, KY — On Sunday (Sept. 3) Karl remained undefeated in his brief career and Gifted One broke her maiden in their respective $80,000 fourth round divisions of the Kentucky Championship Series at Red Mile, which was conducted under the lights for the first time since 2019.

Karl scored in 1:54.2 to improve his record to a perfect three-for-three. Amanda Stephens photo.

Karl and Yannick Gingras commenced their mile from post position seven in the ninth race. The son of Tactical Landing-Avalicious was the overwhelming favorite in the field of seven 2-year-old male trotters due to his powerful performance in the previous leg in this series on Aug. 20 where he stopped the clock in 1:52.1 with ease.

This appearance, however, was a bit more subdued, yet with the same result: victory. The colt and his driver settled in third position as Vocalize (Todd McCarthy) clicked off the first fraction of the mile in :29.3. That’s when Dame Good Time (Scott Zeron) took control and established a split of :58.1 for the half-mile. Vocalize and his reinsman decided the pocket spot was not where they wanted to be and regained the lead after three-quarters in 1:26.4.

Gingras shook the lines at Karl heading into the stretch and the colt surged to the lead off a second-over trip to best the closing Topmost (John De Long) by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:54.2 to improve his record to a perfect three-for-three. Vocalize dug in to hold third.

Trained by Nancy Takter, Karl was purchased for $135,000 at last year’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale by his trainer, Christina Takter, Black Horse Racing, Crawford Farms Racing and Bender Sweden Inc. The colt was bred by Crawford Farms. Karl paid $2.30 to his supporters and has earned $90,000.

Gifted One visited the winner’s circle for the first time from five starts in the Championship Series event for freshman filly pacers. Todd McCarthy guided the daughter of Captaintreacherous-Creative Power to the pocket seat after the duo commenced their mile. They were content to remain in that position as Capytreach (Zeron) went straight to the lead and clicked off fractions of :28.3, :57.3 and 1:26.2.

Gifted One simply popped the pocket in the lane and paced to the wire to collect her first win by a half-length in 1:52.4. Asweetbeachhere (Atlee Bender) was second with a sizzling :25.3 final quarter panel after rallying from last. Capytreach was third.

Gifted One ($12,90) hails from the Tony Alagna barn. She was purchased by Robert Leblanc, Joe Sbrocco, Brad Grant, and Pryde and JAF Racing for $180,000 at last year’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. She was bred by Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz and Lynn Katz. Gifted One’s record now stands at 5-1-2-0 and she has collected $84,000 in purse money.

Just A Miki Moment, Bright Star win Commonwealth Series divisions

Jus A Miki Moment (Tim Tetrick) sprung a mild upset and broke her maiden in her sixth career engagement in the $30,000 Kentucky Commonwealth Series division for 2-year-old filly pacers in 1:50.3. Trained by Jennifer Bongiorno, Jus A Miki Moment is a daughter of Always B Miki and World Of Delight.

The filly was purchased for $53,000 by Joseph Di Scala Jr., Zippett Racing Stable, T L P Stable and JAF Racing at the 2022 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. Jus A Miki Moment was bred by Roll The Dice Stable and Brenda Reno. She possesses a resume of 6-1-1-1 and has earned $25,100. The filly paid $29.06 to win.

Bright Star (Todd McCarthy) also broke his maiden with a triumph in 1:54.3 in fourth leg Commonwealth Series action for freshman male trotters. The son of Muscle Hill-Morningstar took advantage of costly breaks from the two favorites, International Law (Atlee Bender) and Fly By (Zeron) to come home first at odds of 15-1 for trainer Alagna. Pick Pocket (Peter Wrenn) was second and Show Me (Andy Miller) was third.

Bred by Brittany Farms, Bright Star paid $32.74 to win. The colt is co-owned by his breeder, Pryde Stables Inc., Caviart Farms, and Plouffe and Riverview. Bright Star was purchased at the 2022 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale for $150,000. He now has a record of 4-1-2-1 and a bankroll of $33,600.

McCarthy, Wrenn score twice in Goldenrod Series legs

McCarthy and Wrenn steered Direction ($4.22) and Odds On Live Ball ($6.90) in the two $15,000 fourth round legs of the Kentucky Goldenrod Series for 2-year-old filly pacers in 1:52 and 1:53, respectively.

McCarthy collected his fourth sire stakes triumph on the day when he drove Lockheed Martin ($3.38) to victory in the first of three divisions for freshman male trotters in 1:55.1. Wrenn took the second split with Swan Explosion ($5.54) in 1:56.1. Dexter Dunn was victorious in the third division with Mont Saint Michel ($4.98) in 1:56.2.

Red Mile offers a rich buffet of wagering items including a 20-cent Pick-6 with a 15 percent takeout, a 50-cent Pick-5 with an industry low 12 percent takeout, a Super Hi-5 and 15 percent takeout, and Pick-4 events, with a $10,000 guaranteed pool in conjunction with the U.S. Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program.

Red Mile races on a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday schedule with a 1 p.m. (EDT) post time through Oct. 8. Free program pages are available at redmileracing.com in addition to race replays and a daily livestream of each card.