by Peter Kleinhans, for The Red Mile
Lexington, KY — Next Friday night’s final of the Lexington Breeders Classic will include nine of the 12 horses who competed in Friday night’s eliminations at The Red Mile.
And if the eliminations are any indication, Cisco Hall, a two-year-old son of Conway Hall, figures to be the one to beat. The Jimmy Takter-trained colt was sent off as a heavy 1-5 choice in his elimination and wore down a stubborn Raffle Ticket (Dan Daley) to post the victory.
Raffle Ticket was allowed to slow down the fractions to :593 for the half and 1:294 for three-quarters, before turning the stretch drive into a sprint for home. But despite trotting a last quarter in :28 seconds flat, Raffle Ticket was outkicked by an even quicker Cisco Hall for driver Ron Pierce. Oatmeister (Dan Shetler) settled for third.
The mile, in 1:574, was a new mark for Cisco Hall, who has trotted faster with each and every start.
Cisco Hall is owned by Christina Takter, John Fielding, Kenneth Ross, and Nancy Takter-Johansson.
The other elimination went to the fast but erratic colt Garth Vader. The high-stepping Garland Lobell colt is undefeated in three starts in which he has stayed on stride, but has also made breaks in four of his outings.
Trainer D.R. Ackerman was in the bike Friday, sent Garth Vader right to the front, and the pair were all business enroute to a two and a half length win in 1:584.
Owned by the Doug Ackerman Stables, Garth Vader was given quite a challenge by the eventual third place finisher, Cherry Hill Mike, past the half and into the turn. John Campbell pulled Cherry Hill Mike from the two hole behind Garth Vader and for a moment looked as if he would have no problem assuming command just past the half, but Ackerman asked Garth Vader for speed and the two colts locked up in a bitter duel for an eighth of a mile before Campbell, sensing that he was not going to clear back to the pylons, took Cherry Hill Mike back into the pocket.
From there, the force was with Garth Vader, who was not threatened again. Cane A Hora, the even money favorite with Ron Pierce, couldn’t get to the winner, but outfinished Cherry Hill Mike for the place spot.
The Red Mile introduces a guaranteed $10,000 pick four pool on Saturday night. Similar wagers with guaranteed pool sizes have proven successful in attracting bettors at other tracks. The pick four will be offered on Saturday and Sunday nights throughout the meet.
Lexington Breeders Classic eliminations and Kentucky Sires Stakes top the Saturday night card.