by Paul Ramlow, assistant publicity director, United States Trotting Association
Lexington, KY — A trio of Bluegrass divisions for two-year-old colt and gelding pacers were on the 14-race card on Saturday afternoon (October 2) at The Red Mile.
The $156,700 opening division went to Bami Farms Inc. and Dustin Jones Stables Inc.’s Shanghai Phil in a time of 1:52.2. Mike Lachance was at the controls as the Blissfull Hall colt visited the winner’s circle for the fourth time in 10 ’04 starts, improving his earnings to $295,223.
Shanghai Phil took over the lead at the :55 half-mile marker, took the field to the three-quarter pole in 1:24.3, and then fought off a stretch challenge from Beretta Hall (David Miller) to reach the wire first in 1:52.2. Glen B (Brian Sears) picked up the show dough.
In the $156,700 second split, Adam Victor and Son Stable LLC, Alvin Jacobson, Sidney Korn and Noel Daley’s Getting Real came up on the far outside in the lane to score an upset victory in 1:53.2.
The Riyadh colt returned $48.40 for a $2 win ticket in posting his second victory in six lifetime starts. His share of the purse lifted his season’s bankroll to $88,321.
Michael’s Marvel (Ron Pierce) finished second, while Thin Blue Line (John Campbell), who led for most of the mile, had to settle for third.
In the $156,700 final division, Adam Victor and Son Stable LLC’s Allamerican Inca rallied in deep stretch to take the top prize in a time of 1:53.2.
Dave Palone was at the reins for trainer Noel Daley as the Western Hanover gelding was victorious for the second time in just five lifetime starts. He has now earned $122,263.
Eyesbold (Daniel Dube) cut the fractions in this race, reaching the quarter in :27.3, the half in :56.2, and the three-quarters in 1:25.4 before fading badly in the lane and ending up tenth and last.
Pacers were coming from everywhere on the final turn and Allamerican Inca got the final call. Kublai Pan (John Campbell) was second, with McCabe Hall (Luc Ouellette) finishing third.