by Nick Salvi for the Red Mile

Brittany Farm’s remarkable filly trotter Passionate Glide added the $234,500 Moni Maker to her list of accomplishments with the greatest of ease Sunday night at The Red Mile.

Regular pilot Ron Pierce was content to drift along on the outside around the first turn until everyone settled, then moved his filly to the front as the field passed the quarter in 29.1. Pierce let her roll along to the half in 56.3 and faced no pressure until late on the final turn where eventual second place finisher Four Starz Lindy ranged up for Brian Sears as they trotted the third quarter in 30. In the stretch, Passionate Glide shifted gears and moved away from her competition under minimal urging to win by a comfortable length and three-quarters in 1:54. Susie’s Magic used her gate speed to secure the pocket early and held for third.

The victory was visually impressive and may have answered any lingering questions regarding Passionate Glide’s ailing hamstring. Trainer Jimmy Takter elaborated, “Warming up for tonight’s race, she was as sound as she’s ever been,” he said. “The track is not yet set for speed, so trotting in 54 with a 27.2 last quarter is very strong.”

SIMPSON MEMORIAL 3YO FILLY PACE

The under card was a strong one this evening, offering four stakes in support of the feature. Armbro Dancer took control as the field passed the half and held sway to win the $61,100 John Simpson Memorial for three-year-old pacing fillies in 1:52.2. Grandiose Gal was gaining fast late but her bid fell just short, settling for the place. Enhance The Night also closed nicely to pick up the show money. Takter and Pierce combined to take this event as well for owner Louie Camara.

GURFEIN SWEEPS FRESHMAN COLT TROTS

In the first of three Simpson stakes for freshman trotters the heavily favored Great Success scored a convincing 1:58.1 victory for trainer and part owner Ronnie Gurfein. Mike Lachance put the Self Possessed colt, who bears a striking resemblance to his sire, on the lead just past the quarter and rated him kindly, closing with a 28.2 final panel. Snowboarder was a very respectable second and Please Poppy held for third. Jerry & Rosalie Silva are Gurfein’s partners on the winner.

Division two saw Creditable Winner overcome post ten to win his second straight for the same trainer/driver combo in 1:58.4. Boston Harbor and Cayenne Turbo closed for the other board finishes. The Credit Winner colt is owned by Brittany Farms, Sampson Street, Meinzinger and Silva.

The third of Gurfein’s winners may have been the most impressive. Jimmy Shin was sent to the front early by Lachance and rated comfortably to win in 1:57.4 with a 28.4 final panel. The Self Possessed colt appeared to have something left as he held off a very game Aisling to win by a length. Artistic AS rallied for third. Jimmy Shin is out of the $400,000 winner Armbro Temple and was sold at the 2005 Lexington Select Yearling sale for $100,000 to the partnership of Brittany, Sampson Street, Silva & Scharf.

The Red Mile resumes racing on Thursday night with 3 divisions of the Simpson stakes for 3-year-old filly trotters and a pair of Simpson 2-year-old filly paces.