Crown Contenders Contest in Red Mile Action

By Frank and Ray Cotolo

(BC) denotes Breeders Crown eligible

Breeders Crown hopefuls competed in the final week of Grand Circuit competition at The Red Mile, including the two-year-old pacing colts and geldings in four divisions of the $262,000 International Stallion Stakes (ISS) on Saturday, October 8, three-year-old trotting colts and geldings in the $431,000 Kentucky Futurity and aged pacers competing in the $112,500 Allerage Filly & Mare Pace and in the $138,000 Allerage Open Pace on Sunday, October 9.

Dragnet Alert flew home to win the first division of the ISS in a world-record mile of 1:49.2 over Odds On Delray (BC-Somebeachsomewhere) and Filibuster Hanover (BC-Somebeachsomewhere). Owned by Crawford Farms Racing, trained by Chris Oakes, and driven by Brian Sears, he paid $29.80 to win.

Kicking off cover at the head of the stretch, Chip Walther (BC-Art Major) swept past his rivals to win the second ISS split in 1:50.3 over Normandy Beach (BC-Somebeachsomewhere) and Mcthriller (BC-McArdle). Owned by Ervin Miller Stable Inc., Paymaq Racing, Nick Surick Stable LLC and Louis Willinger, trained by Erv Miller, and driven by Marcus Miller, he paid $84.80 to win.

Huntsville (BC-Somebeachsomewhere) won his fourth-consecutive race in his world-record equaling 1:49 victory in the third division of the ISS, besting Fear The Dragon and R J P (BC-Somebeachsomewhere). Owned by trainer Ray Schnittker along with partners Ted Gewertz, Charles Iannazzo and Steven Arnold, and driven by Tim Tetrick, he returned $2.80 to win.

Brian Brown-trainee Downbytheseaside (BC-Somebeachsomewhere) also won in a world-record equaling mile of 1:49 in the final ISS division, beating Boogie Shuffle (BC-Well Said) and Eddard Hanover. Owned by Country Club Acres Inc., Joe Sbrocco and Richard Lombardo, and driven by David Miller, he paid $3.20.

Hambletonian and Yonkers Trot-winner Marion Marauder (BC-Muscle Hill) completed the Triple Crown to become its ninth champion in the $431,000 Kentucky Futurity Final, winning in 1:52.3 from off the pace over Southwind Frank (BC-Muscle Hill) and the 9-5 favorite Bar Hopping (BC-Muscle Hill). Owned by Marion Wellwood and Devin Keeling, trained by Paula Wellwood, and driven by Scott Zeron, he paid $9.20.

Prairie Sweetheart, a three-year-old filly, defeated her older foes in the $112,500 Allerage Filly & Mare Pace, ripping out of the pocket and advancing to a 1:49.1 win over Bedroomconfessions (BC-American Ideal) and Venus Delight (BC-Bettor’s Delight). Owned by Let It Ride Stables Inc., trained by Ross Croghan, and driven by Matt Kakaley, she returned $14.80 to win. The 1-5 favorite Lady Shadow (BC-Shadow Play) finished eighth.

Grabbing the lead before the half, Jimmy Takter-trainee Always B Miki (BC-Always A Virgin) sprinted around the track and progressed to pace an all-time world-record mile of 1:46 over Shamballa (BC-Somebeachsomewhere) and All Bets Off (BC-Bettor’s Delight). Owned by Bluewood Stable, Roll The Dice Stable and Christina Takter, and driven by David Miller, he paid $2.10.