by T.J. Burkett, for The Red Mile

Lexington, KY — Muscovite, in her first start since her surprise win in the $458,550 Merrie Annabelle at the Meadowlands, trotted to a 2:01.4 win in a $6,000 early closer event at The Red Mile on Sunday, August 19, over a track rated “good.”

Nigel Soult photo

Muscovite wins an early closer leg in 2:01.4 at The Red Mile for owner Toss Out LLC and trainer Ron Gurfein.

Driven by regular reinsman Mike Lachance, Muscovite claimed the lead at the quarter pole and showed her class by trotting to a 4-3/4 length win for owner Toss Out LLC. All Our Moni, a filly out of two-time Horse of the Year Moni Maker, finished second with Marcus Johansson aboard.

As the fillies took to the track for the race, a fast-moving squall pounded the red clay with heavy rains and ominous lightning. Ron Gurfein, Muscovite’s trainer, considered scratching the filly.

“I hesitated but then I saw they were still racing the Moni Maker filly. I figured if it’s good enough for them out there it’s good enough for us,” Gurfein said.

Muscovite was a $70,000 yearling by Muscles Yankee. She was bred by Perretti Farms of New Jersey.

The Red Mile hosted four other early closers for 2-year-olds on the 14-race card. Toss Out LLC and Gurfein also grabbed the first early closer heat with Tapas Bar in 1:59.2. Lachance drove the Angus Hall colt. A $100,000 yearling, Tapas Bar was bred by Fair Winds Farm Inc.

The fastest early closer heat went to Charismatic, a colt by Western Ideal, who won in 1:58.4. Noel Daley trains the colt for co-owners and co-breeders Brittany Farms and Daisy Acres.

Blue Rae won her second consecutive lifetime start with a 2:02 score in her $6,000 early closer leg over a “sloppy” track. Mark O’Mara drove the Browning Blue Chip filly for trainer Richard Oldfield and owner-breeder Oldfield Farm Inc.

Flying Color won her early closer leg in 2:02.2 with Don Irvine, Jr. aboard for trainer Jack Gray, Jr. Brent Tartar owns the Real Artist filly, who was a $21,000 yearling bred by Fair Winds Farm Inc.

The Red Mile hosts Kentucky Sires Stake action on Monday night, August 20, with first post at 6:30 p.m. The 2-year-olds will take to the clay on the 15-race card.