from the Kentucky Sire Stakes

Lexington, KY — The Kentucky Sires Stakes (KYSS) raced five divisions of freshman pacers in the second of three $30,000 preliminary legs on Sunday night (Aug. 26) under absolutely glorious conditions at Red Mile. The temperature was 80 degrees and the wind still as the fillies took to the track at 7 p.m.

Edge Of Eternity captured her KYSS division in 1:53.

The Ohio connection of trainer Brian Brown and driver Chris Page began the evening by winning the first of two filly divisions with heavy favorite Edge Of Eternity. With the field scratched down to a mere handful of five, Page took the initiative and send his charge out for the lead, rated friendly fractions then sealed the deal with a :26.4 end to the 1:53 mile. Louphoria (Scott Zeron) rallied wide to be second and Cash Reward (Yannick Gingras) third.

The winner is by A Rocknroll Dance and was bred by Red Mile track announcer Gabe Prewitt and James McLaughlin, who sold her to current owners Mark Robinson, Richard Lombardo, Bluestreak Boys and Bob Heckhoff’s RBH Ventures for $55,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale (LSYS) last fall.

Beautyonthebeach became a repeat winner in the KYSS series for Doug McNair who chose to race her with cover this week and that notion worked to perfection. There was plenty of pace in the race with Summer Charm (Andy McCarthy) setting lively fractions through the 1:23.4 three panels just as Beautyonthebeach was escorted to the leader by live cover. McNair then tipped his charge wide for the drive and she was doing her best pacing under the wire while striding out to a 4-1/4 length win for the 1:51 record. Summer Charm held up well for the place and Mollydooker (Zeron) went a solid uncovered trip to be third.

James Avritt of nearby Lebanon bred and owns the winner and was again present to enjoy the effort and accept the trophy.

Magic Joe Lindy (Zeron) seared the red clay in 1:51 to win the first of three divisions for colts and geldings. Zeron changed tactics with the striking gray American Ideal colt, leaving from post eight into a brief four-hole tuck before advancing on leader Egomania on the backside to take over by the :55.3 second half. Page popped the deuce with Egomania at the 1:24.1 three-quarters for a run at the top one, but Magic Joe was more than up to the challenge and drew away to a 2-1/4 length win under minimal urging for the new record. US Captain (Doug McNair) closed to take the place away from Egomania.

Nigel Soult photos

Hurrikane Emperor has now won five of his six career starts after taking his KYSS division in 1:50.4.

Magic Joe Lindy is rare Lindy Farms pacer and made the third homebred winner for that storied Standardbred nursery on the weekend. With trainer Domenico Cecere in route to Ontario to prepare others for the upcoming Champlain stakes, assistant trainer Patritzio Ancora tended to the winning duties on this occasion.

Hurrikane Emperor (McCarthy) impressed again with his powerful closing kick, mowing down a pretty stout field from well back to take a 1:50.4 record for trainer John McDermott Jr. The pace was hot early with Major Deception (Zeron) prominent through speedy numbers then succumbing to an assault from a fresh Bettor’s Wish (Dexter Dunn) as they straightened up for the drive. That one was dead game right to the wire, buy despite his gritty effort Bettor’s Wish could not resist the winner’s late surge. Can’t Beach That (Peter Wrenn) was third.

Hurrikane Emperor has now won five of six starts including a sweep of the New Jersey Sires Stakes earlier this summer for breeders Jonathan Klee Racing and Kuhen Racing who are joined in ownership of the Hurrikane Kingcole scion with Pegasis Investment Group and Lind Racing Stable.

McCarthy came back to win the last of the stakes with the unbeaten repeat KYSS winner, Captain Trevor, another sharp looking Captaintreacherous colt for trainer Tony Alagna. Leaving for position early then moved to the front at the three-eighths, McCarthy and Captain Trevor yielded to race favorite Blood Money (Gingras) near the half before finding a seam mid-stretch and going by the leader willingly for the 1:52.2 score. Caviart Rockland (McNair) held third after a first-over bid.

Captain Trevor was bred by Bay’s Stable and Riverview Racing and sold in Harrisburg for $75,000 to current owners Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz, Brad Grant and the eponymous Captain Trevor Racing which represents Joe Barbera, Leah Cheverie and Myron & Stephanie Bell’s Riverview Racing.

Racing resumes at The Red Mile on Thursday (Aug. 30) with the second leg for 3-year-old KYSS.