by Tom White, for The Red Mile
Lexington, KY — Green Dot, Self Professed and Ken Warkentin won divisions of the $327,000 Bluegrass – Walnut Hall Ltd. two-year-old colt trot on Thursday afternoon at The Red Mile. Ken Warkentin’s 1:55.3 victory was not only the fastest by a two-year-old colt trotter this season, but his final quarter ranks with the best of all time.
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Nigel Soult photo
Ken Warkentin edged Muscles In Blue by a half length to score a 1:55.3 victory in a division of the Bluegrass-Walnut Hall.
“I’m not sure how much he trotted that last quarter, probably faster than :27 seconds,” said driver David Miller. “I’ve never driven a better two-year-old colt than this,” Miller said in response to a reporter’s question. “I tucked in behind Muscles In Blue and tried to draft as long as I could. He came back out and took right off.”
Ken Wartentin edged Muscles In Blue by a half length.
Ken Warkentin, who shares his name with one of The Meadowlands race announcers, now has seven wins in eight starts and earnings of $380,290 for owners Christina Takter, John Fielding, Tie Domi and the Windsor Stable. He is trained by Jimmy Takter.“I can’t take a lot of credit for Green Dot’s win today,” said driver Dave Palone. “He hasn’t got much early foot, but for a little guy he’s an overachiever. I told his owners that I thought he could do well at Lexington because he wouldn’t have to make the lead early.”
Green Dot ($13.40), who is owned by the Have a Dream Stable, set a national season’s record for juvenile geldings of 1:56.3 to win the first division by a length and a half over Travelin Lite.
“His owners have had so many bad horses (that) they are really enjoying Green Dot,” said Palone.
Green Dot is trained by Steven Bush.
Self Professed ($8.60) held off Sir Perseverance in deep stretch to notch his second victory of the season by a neck in 1:57.1.
“I thought I was going to win pretty easily, but number 10 (Sir Perseverance) comes shooting up on the inside. I was sure glad to see the wire come up when it did,” said driver David Miller.
Self Professed is owned by the Royal Wire Products. Don Swick trains the winner.
“He has really progressed. He’s really matured,” said Miller.
Grand Circuit racing continues Friday with two divisions of the $208,800 Bluegrass – Windylane Hanover three-year-old filly trot and two divisions of the $191,400 Bluegrass – Dream Away three-year-old filly pace. Post time is 12:30 p.m.