by Ray Cotolo, for Red Mile

Lexington, KY — Nutcracker Sweet sat the pocket as Closing Statement moved for the top, besting the 4-5 favorite in the stretch to win the second of four divisions of the $302,000 Western Ideal Bluegrass 2-year-old colt and gelding pace, presented by Hanover Shoe Farms and Brittany Farms, at Red Mile on Saturday (Sept. 30) in 1:50.3.

Taking the front after a :28.3 quarter, Nutcracker Sweet later yielded to Closing Statement, stretching him out through the backstretch before eventually letting him clear at the half in :55.3. Tim Tetrick tipped the 8-5 second choice off the rail midway around the final turn, drawing alongside Closing Statement following a 1:23.2 third-quarter before putting him away into the final eighth of a mile. Keystone Tenacious, tracking the contested lead from the rail, took third.

Nutcracker Sweet wins his third race from eight starts in Bluegrass action on Saturday evening.

Competing for the interests of Howard Taylor, Order By Stable, and Richard Lombardo, Nutcracker Sweet, by Bettors Delight out of the Falcons Future mare Sweet Future, won his third race in eight starts, amassing $85,116 in earnings. Trained by Jimmy Takter, he paid $5.20 to win.

I’m A Big Deal swept to the front off a fast setup, cruising to a 1:51.3 victory in the opening division of the Bluegrass colt and gelding pace.

Positioned fourth as Larry Karr rushed to control in a :25.4 quarter, David Miller tipped I’m A Big Deal wide, gaining the lead after a :55 half. Somebaddude, tracking his cover, was left first-over around the final turn, applying pressure to I’m A Big Deal through a 1:22.3 third-quarter before giving way into the stretch. Scooting away from the field, I’m A Big Deal was unchallenged through the stretch, holding a clear lead as Shadow Cat rallied from second-over to take second, while Bounding Dragon, from third-over, took third.

Owned by Craig Henderson, Robert Mondillo, and trainer Chris Ryder, I’m A Big Deal, by Somebeachsomewhere out of the McArdle mare Big Mcdeal, won his third race in eight starts, earning $55,010. Driven by David Miller, he paid $5.40 to win.

Points North popped from the pocket to the lead passing the quarter, proceeding to a 1:52.4 win in the third Bluegrass colt and gelding pace split.

Settling for second as Grand Teton swept to control through a :28.4 quarter, Points North angled outside to retake the lead before the half, hitting that station in :56.1. Manverick moved first-over into the far turn, challenging Points North at three-quarters in 1:25.1 before faltering into the stretch.

Room opened for Grand Teton to rally off the rail, rushing alongside Points North into the eighth pole but finishing a neck shy of the winner while Rockin Away closed from third over to finish third.

Scoring his fifth consecutive and overall win in nine starts this season, Points North, a gelding by Somebeachsomewhere out of the Western Hanover mare Northwest Hanover, returned $7.00 to win. Owned by Pinske Stables, trained by Richard “Nifty” Norman, and driven by Andrew McCarthy, Points North pushed his career earnings to $75,030.

Nigel Soult photos

Points North collects his fifth consecutive win.

Tetrick, driving 4-5 favorite This Is The Plan, plotted a first-over trip to take the fourth Bluegrass colt and gelding pace in 1:52.4.

Getting away fifth, This Is The Plan sat off a :29 opening quarter set by Pro Beach entering the backstretch. Twin B Tuffenuff moved wide from third, brushing to the front before a :57.1 half to lead into the far turn while This Is The Plan began his move uncovered.

Drawing alongside Twin B Tuffenuff past three-quarters in 1:26, This Is The Plan fought through the stretch to take the lead from Twin B Tuffenuff, edging by in the closing strides to win while Twin B Tuffenuff finished second in a dead heat with pocket-sitter Pro Beach splitting horses late.

A gelding by Somebeachsomewhere out of the Western Ideal mare That’s The Plan, This Is The Plan, winning his second race in nine starts this season, has earned $149,149 for owner-trainer Chris Ryder and co-owner Robert Mondillo. He paid $3.60 to win.

Grand Circuit Racing at The Red Mile resumes Sunday (Oct. 1) for the first matinee program of the meet. The Sunday card is highlighted by two divisions of the $177,500 Galleria Bluegrass 3-year-old filly pace, presented by Fashion Farms, three divisions of the $183,900 Cantab Hall Bluegrass 3-year-old filly trot, sponsored by Hanover Shoe Farms and Brittany Farms, three divisions of the $220,200 Somebeachcomewhere Bluegrass 3-year-old colt and gelding pace, sponsored by the Somebeachsomewhere Syndicate and Hanover Shoe Farms, and three divisions of the $216,300 Explosive Matter Bluegrass 3-year-old colt and gelding trot, presented by the Explosive Matter Syndicate and Hanover Shoe Farms.

First race post for the Sunday card is 1 p.m. EDT.