Lexington, KY – Aiding his trainer, Ron Burke, to reach the 16,000-win milestone was Sippinonsearoc (Yannick Gingras) in the $80,000 second leg of this series for sophomore male pacers in a geared down 1:48.2 as the heavy favorite. Crack Shot (Doug McNair) was second and Captain Arturovico (Geremy Bobbitt) was third.
Captain Arturovico left the gate on top and established the first split of :26.3 while Sippinonsearoc was second. Gingras, however, did not wait long to move his horse to the front as the gelding went by the half-mile marker in :53.4 and the three-quarter pole in 1:21.2. The son of Downbytheseaside-Queen Ann M was never seriously challenged.
The fastest 2-year-old in history was bred by Trent Stohler and Alesha Binkley. He was purchased by his trainer, Weaver Bruscemi, R A S Racing and Knox Services Inc. for $77,000 at the 2023 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.
He is the first foal out of an Ohio champion and paid $2.44 to win.
Sippinonsearoc has a record of 20-9-4-2 and has earned $720,900 in purse money.
Luna Lovegood (Dexter Dunn) scored her first triumph of the season in four starts in the division for 3-year-old filly trotters in 1:53.1 for trainer Marcus Melander. R Lady W (Scott Zeron) was a neck back in second with Stash Some Cash (Tim Tetrick) completing the trifecta.
Todd McCarthy and Voguish left from post position five in the field of five and set all the fractions of :28.4, :56.3 and 1:24.4 while Luna Lovegood (post position) sat in the garden spot (second) throughout the mile. Dun gave his filly her instructions at the top of the lane and she trotted home for her first win since the $116,600 Matron Stake at Dover Downs on Nov. 11, 2024.
A daughter of Gimpanzee-Southwind Venus, Luna Lovegood improved her resume to 14-6-1-1 and her bankroll to $422,010.
The filly was bred by Blue Chip Farms and Stefan Melander. She was purchased for $100,000 at the 2023 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale by Holly Lane Stud East Ltd.
Luna Lovegood was favored in the Breeders Crown last year for her age, sex and gait and has experienced some trouble staying on stride this season. She is a half-sister to Miss I LA (Walner, $437,508).
The filly paid $11.88 to her supporters as the third choice.
Kadena, Winnpanzee, Strangerinthenight win Commonwealth Series splits
Favored Kadena (Andrew McCarthy) wired the field in 1:52.3 to win the first $30,000 division of this series by a head over My Honor (Gingras) and Grand Reserve (Zeron).
The sophomore daughter of Gimpanzee and world champion Mission Brief is trained by Melander.
Kadena was bred by Mission Brief Stables and was the sales topper at the 2023 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale at $800,000 for owners Jeffrey Snyder and S R F Stable.
The filly paid $4.18 to win. She has now collected $158,017 and her record is 14-5-3-1.
Gingras and Winnpanzee outhoofed Kentucky champion Aperfect Annie (T. McCarthy) and Montmartre (Tim Tetrick) in 1:52.3. The daughter of Gimpanzee-Winndevie is trained by Burke.
Bred by Ola Yoder, Winnpanzee established a new lifetime mark with her third win in 15 starts.
The filly is the first foal out of her dam, who earned $787,682 on the racetrack. Winnpanzee was a $140,000 purchase at the 2023 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale by her trainer, Bradley Grant and Weaver Bruscemi.
Winnpanzee paid $12.66 to win.
Tony Alagna and Zeron joined forces in the preparation and execution of Strangerinthenight for the filly’s 1:51.1 in the third division as the favorite. Boomerang (T. McCarthy) was second and Making History (Marvin Luna) was third.
The daughter of Tall Dark Stranger-Tall Drink Hanover earned her first win of the season and second overall from 16 starts.
The filly was bred by her trainer, Marvin Katz and Riverview Racing LLC. She was purchased for $150,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale by Riverview Racing LLC, Brittany Farms, Steven Head and Pryde Stables.
Strangerinthenight paid $6.14 to win. She is the first foal out of a world champion and O’Brien Award winning dam.
Lafitte wins first Golden Series Rod Series, Got Bourbon takes second Wildcat division
Lafitte (Anibal Borjas, $9.78), Anativenewyorker (Dunn, $4.98), Caviart Ivy (Niko Karna, $33.22), Belmont (Dunn, $3.36) and Fusion (T. McCarthy, $6.72) won their respective second round legs of the Golden Rod.
Got Bourbon (T. McCarthy, $7.08) and Molto Grande (Dunn, $3.42) won the other two divisions of the Wildcat Series.
Racing will continue through Sunday (Oct. 5), following a Sunday through Wednesday schedule. Fans and horsemen can look forward to 5:05 p.m.post times on Sundays, and 1:00 p.m. post times on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays throughout the meet. Please be advised post times on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are subject to change due to the fluctuations in extreme heat and various other weather conditions across the nation.
The Red Mile will once again feature industry low takeout on the pari-mutuel side of things while offering fans a full buffet of wagering options including bookend daily double wagering exacta and trifecta wagering, 20 cent superfectas, Pick-3, Pick-4, Pick-5 and Pick-6 offerings and the Super Hi-5.
For more information on the upcoming draw schedule, promotional events, the live racing calendar, or free racing program pages, please visit www.redmileracing.com.