Lexington, KY – On a picture-perfect Sunday Night Lights (Aug. 24) evening, Winnpanzee proved best after a step up in class in the third $80,000 leg of the Kentucky Championship Series for 3-year-old filly trotters in 1:52. Harrisburg Heist completed the exacta for Yannick Gingras and Ron Burke with his triumph in the leg for sophomore male pacers in 1:49.4.
The 15-race card, sponsored by Crawford Farms, also supplied two $30,000 third legs of the Kentucky Commonwealth Series, four $15,000 third round legs of the Kentucky Golden Rod Series and three $10,000 third round legs of the Kentucky Wildcat Series.
Winnpanzee, Harrisburg Heist are best in Championship Series
Winnpanzee parlayed a quality trip into her second victory in three starts for Burke since joining his contingent last month. Previously owned by Purple Haze Stables and conditioned by Trond Smedshammer, the daughter of Gimpanzee-Winndevie defeated favored Torrisi (Tim Tetrick) and Voguish (Andrew McCarthy) to procure the victory.
Leaving from post position one, Winnpanzee and her pilot sat in second as Torrisi assumed command from post position four. That filly established splits of :28.4, :56.3 and 1:24.4 prior to Winnpanzee given the green light as the field of seven headed for the final bend.
As Torrisi fought on and Stash Some Cash (David Miller) made their own bid to claim second, Winnpanzee left her pocket position, was third by a head at the three-quarters and then trotted home in :27 while moving around her competition with plenty in the tank.
Bred by Ola Yoder, Winnpanzee is owned by her trainer, Bradley Grant and Weaver Bruscemi. The filly was winless in five starts as freshman but broke her maiden in May. She now sports a resume of 11-4-3-2 and collected her first win in Championship Series company after two starts in the Commonwealth Series.
The filly has banked $115,820 and provided her supporters with $12.64 at the windows as the fourth selection.
Harrisburg Heist made it bit closer for his margin of victory but also visited the winner’s circle in his first trip to the Championship Series. The son of Downbytheseaside-Cashaway defeated fellow shedrow member Captain Arturovico (Dexter Dunn) by a head. Crack Shot (Doug McNair) came home third.
Gingras put the pedal to the metal right off the gate from post position six in the field of eight as Harrisburg Heist led his rivals through an opening quarter in :27.3. Gingras was content to let off the gas and allow Captain Arturovico to take control through a half in :55.2 as he and his horse sat in second.
Crack Shot unloaded from third to take second after three quarters in 1:23.1 with Harrisburg Heist idling in third. After unleashing a final quarter in :26.1, the Harrisburg Heist hit the line first.
Bred by Brittany Farms and Marvin Katz, Harrisburg Heist is the seventh foal out of his dam and was purchased privately by his trainer, Knox Services Inc. and Weaver Bruscemi.
The gelding is a half sibling to Queen Of Success (Captaintreacherous, $449,246) and Diamondsnpearls (Captaintreacherous, $140,059).
Harrisburg Heist won his third consecutive race and like Winnpanzee, won a Commonwealth Series event before taking a leg of the Ohio Stakes on Aug. 16 at Eldorado Scioto Downs.
The gelding has a resume of 21-8-3-3 and more than $200,000 in his bank account. Harrisburg Heist provided $10.38 to win as the second choice.
Delray Beach, Best Story Ever each win by a nose in Commonwealth Series
Dexter Dunn and Delray Beach wired the field to take the division for 3-year-old male pacers in 1:51.1 for trainer Nancy Takter. Favorite Strangerinthenight (Scott Zeron) was second and Boomerang (Tetrick) was third.
Bred by Christina Takter, Marvin Katz and Brixton Medical Inc., Delray Beach is now 22-6-2-5. The son of Tall Dark Stranger out of Dan Patch and O’Brien Award winner Idyllic Beach has amassed $147,471 in purse money.
He is a full brother to the freshman filly Bahama Momma, who is a top competitor in the Championship Series.
Delray Beach was purchased for $23,000 at the 2023 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale by Black Horse Racing, John Fielding and Morrison Racing Stables.
The gelding paid $20.52 to win.
Andy Miller and Best Story Ever staved off the late advance of favored Kadena (Andrew McCarthy) in 1:52.1 to win the series event for 3-year-old filly trotters. Best Friends Girl (David Miller) rounded out the trifecta.
Trained by Julie Miller, Best Story Ever is a daughter of Chapter Seven-Nixie Volo. The final time was a lifetime best as she improved her record to 11-4-0-2 with $69,072 in her bank account.
The filly was bred by Kentuckiana Farms and Eddie Gran. She was a $185,000 selection for Wiesman Farms LLC., Andy Miller Stable and Carmen Iannocone at the 2023 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.
Best Story Ever rewarded her supporters with a payout of $13.54.
Favorites abound in Golden Rod and Wildcat Series
Belmont (Dunn, $3.82), Esme (A. McCarthy, $44.38) and Misspanzee (Zeron, $5.16) reigned supreme in the three Golden Rod divisions for sophomore filly trotters.
Fusion (Todd McCarthy, $4.10) was in the winner’s circle for the division for 3-year-old male pacers.
Naughty Naughty (D. Miller, $3.22) and Googoo Goddess (A. McCarthy, $3.86) won the Wildcat divisions for 3-year-old filly trotters.
Got Bourbon (T. McCarthy, $3.96) crossed the finish line first in the division for sophomore male pacers.
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 p.m. post times on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays throughout the meet.
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.