by Nick Salvi for the Red Mile

Tuesday brought with it lovely blue skies and a menu heavy with Late Closers for diagonally gaited distaffers to The Red Mile.

The event for 3-5 year old trotting mares fielded three divisions and local “Cinderella story” Trophy Stand continued her form spree for Red Mile regular Jackie Gray, Jr. The Garland Lobell filly did not race at two but has been near flawless this season. She has won four of her nine career outings, including the KYSS final, and missed the board just once.

Nigel Soult photo

Trophy Stand was an easy winner, taking a new record of 1:54.3 in the process.

Trophy Stand won a Late Closer last week for Mike Lachance, who opted off for new Gurfein pupil Zeta Jones this week, so Jack tabbed Tim Tetrick to handle the assignment. Tetrick settled the filly near the back as the lead changed hands several times, finally resulting with the aforementioned Zeta Jones arriving at the three quarters with a five-length advantage. Trophy Stand was following cover, fanned wide as they straightened up and set her sights on the leader. She engulfed that one inside the sixteenth pole and drew off to a four-length victory, taking a new record of 1:54.3 in the process.

Velma K (Conway Hall) lowered her mark to 1:55.2 in a late charging victory for Dave Miller. Miller left the gate with this one and was parked to the quarter before settling in to the pocket. Things got a bit hairy when they began to file around the pacesetter as the field turned home, but Miller found a seam and Velma K willing threaded her way through to the winner’s circle. Paul Buer is the trainer for Joie De Vie Farms.

The third split went to favored Self Admirer in a new personal best of 1:54.3 for driver Steve Smith. This one led all the way and the outcome never seemed in doubt. C & I Siegel own the Self Possessed lass and Karen Garland trains her.

Jan Johnson was the star of the day in the freshman filly races, training three winners of the five divisions and driving two of them himself.

Madame Volo (Yankee Glide) followed close up through fast numbers and tipped out to win her division in a speedy 1:56.4 for Johnson. A few races later New Day (Conway Hall) lowered her record to 1:58.1 with Jan aboard. Both fillies race for the partnership of Arden Homestead and Adelaide Skoglund.

Assistant trainer Kenny Oscarsson drove the sharp Andover Hall filly Bruschette to a 1:58 win for owner Caroline Gerry in her split.

In between the Johnson successes Randy Beeckman, long of the Sylvester stable, sent out a Grand Circuit winner of his own when his Miami Peach recorded a 1:59.4 shocker. The Dream vacation filly surprised everyone with a grueling forwardly placed victory, returning $209 for a $2 wager.