by Nick Salvi for the Red Mile

Brittany Farms homebred Self Possessed filly Possess The Magic rewrote the record for two-year-old filly trotters with a sparkling 1:54.2 effort this afternoon at The Red Mile. Conditions were near perfect today with cloudless skies revealing the bright sun and little or no wind to affect the racing.

Possess The Magic went postward as the heavy favorite in her division, one of five $73,000 International Stallion Stakes for her age and gender on the card, and was eased away from the start by Mike Lachance. The filly never crossed completely over to the rail in the early going, Lachance choosing instead to let her float slowly toward the front as the race unfolded.

Up front, Ron Pierce was being towed along rapidly by Satu, an Andover Hall filly making only her second career start, through grueling numbers of 27.3 for the quarter, 56 flat for the half. Lachance had by now successfully drawn cover for his charge, following the second wagering choice Likely Volo towards the lead. Satu, to her credit, repelled the first over challenge past the three-quarter mark in 1:25.2 and held the lead until Possess The Magic fanned off her cover and stormed boldly by for the record victory.

The time not only erased the standard set by Pampered Princess in the Bluegrass Stakes last Wednesday, but is the fastest time recorded by a juvenile trotter ever. Ronnie Gurfein trains the new champion for his long time patron, George Segal’s Brittany Farms.

Pampered Princess was also competing on the card this afternoon and easily won her division in a controlled 1:56 for John Campbell. She relaxed off a slow early pace and ground up first-over, effortlessly dispensing of her competition.

Godiva Hall, the darling of the state breds here in Kentucky, continued to prove her merit in open competition by annexing her INSS split in a career best 1:56.1 for Dave Palone. From the extreme outside post, Palone chose to take her to the back, lining up behind her main competition, Michelle’s Angel, the eventual second place finisher. Godiva Hall followed that one’s cover all the way to mid-stretch where she tipped around her and marched to a clear victory. Pete Foley trains the Like A Prayer filly for Steve & Gene Oldford and the North South Partnership.

George Teague prepped a few baby trotters for this season and they are following the Teague tradition of success. He sent out the Andover Hall filly Danae in an INSS split today and she returned home a winner. Ron Pierce worked out a lovely second-over trip for Danae and she flipped off her cover to win handily in 1:57.3. Impanema Oaks rallied from far back in just her second start to be an impressive second for Charlie Norris. Teague Inc. and Rodney Mitchell, Jr own the winner in partnership.

The fifth split went to Sweet Alabama, a Conway Hall filly trained by Waldo Formia for Al Libfeld and Marvin Katz. She has now won four of her six starts and nearly $90,000 for the connections. Dave Miller had the drive on this one.

Freshman trotting colts and pacing fillies on the bill tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. at The Red Mile