by Gabe Prewitt, publicity director, The Red Mile

Lexington, KY — The 3-year-old Kentucky-sired horses of both sexes and gaits were in the spotlight on Monday night, August 5, at The Red Mile.

Nigel Soult photo

Unique Legacy posted a 1:49.4 clocking in Kentucky Sire Stakes action on Monday.

The most impressive performance of the evening was turned in by Unique Legacy, a 3-year-old pacing filly by Real Desire, in the $25,000 first split. Ron Pierce was aboard for the victory for the Casie Coleman barn and owner Robert Hamather.

Last year’s defending KYSS champion Beachy Girl darted to the lead for driver Ricky Macomber just as the field settled past the quarter, but was used hard reaching the half in :54.3 and would fade to third. Pierce had his filly tucked away in sixth in the early going, and waited to just past the three-quarter pole to unleash the filly with a wicked :26 second final quarter, pacing the mile in a blistering 1:49.4. Unique Legacy returned $3.40 for the victory. Btwnyurheartnmine was also used hard in the early going, but held on for a game second for driver Andy Miller, 4-1/2 lengths back from the winner.

Ron Pierce was also aboard Body Surfing in the Monday night feature, the $50,000 first leg of the KYSS for 3-year-old filly trotters, where he picked up another one of his four victories.

The 3-year-old fillies were the only group not to be split into multiple divisions over the course of the past two nights, when only nine dropped in the box.

Pierce got away second behind defending champion Debbie Hall and Mike Lachance, but retook with the daughter of Like A Prayer just past the opening quarter to coast home to an easy four length win in 1:57. Debbie Hall was able to hold second, while Annie Hall and Tom Haughton closed well for third.

Results of all KYSS divisions are listed below:

3-year-old filly pace-$25,000
Unique Legacy-Real Desire-Ron Pierce-1:49.4
Teenage Paige-Real Desire-Andy Miller-1:51.4

3-year-old colt pace-$25,000
Where’s Tucker-Jenna’s Beach Boy-Dave Palone-1:51.2
Blue Claw-Jenna’s Beach Boy-Mike Lachance-1:52.2

3-year-old filly trot-$50,000
Body Surfing-Like A Prayer-Ron Pierce-1:57

3-year-old colt trot-$25,000
Hartmann-Like A Prayer-Jeff Nisonger-1:55.4
Saint Francis-Like A Prayer-Kyle Ater-1:57

Racing continues at The Red Mile on Thursday evening, August 7, with a first post at 6:30 p.m. for the 14-race card.