Beautyonthebeach, out of world-champion Grand Circuit mare Precocious Beauty, won in 1:53 and was the first of two homebred winners for local horseman Jim Avritt of Lebanon, KY, who swept both $30,000 divisions of the Kentucky Sires Stakes (KYSS) opening preliminary for the fillies at The Red Mile on Saturday, Aug. 18.
Unpressed through early fractions, a threat came in the form of the previously unbeaten Margret Hill who rolled up on Beautyonthebeach around the final bend but was rebuffed with a 26.4 final stanza by the winner. Doug McNair sat in the bike for trainer and father Gregg McNair.
The team came right back with Prescient Beauty, an Art Major full sister to the aforementioned Precocious Beauty, and went virtually the same trip to win the second division also in 1:53.
Comfortable throughout, Prescient Beauty warded off the late bid of another unbeaten Brian Brown pupil in Edge Of Eternity with minimal urging through the :27.1 end of the mile while winning for the third time in four outings.
Captain Trevor pulled a 20-1 upset in the first of three KYSS divisions for the colts with a 1:51.2 score for trainer Tony Alagna.
Driver Andrew McCarthy set the colt up with a quick start, securing a pocket trip behind quick fractions set by Yacht Week, who dueled with Blacklight around the second turn then drifted off the rail. A path then opened for Captain Trevor, who held off the furious rally of Magic Joe Lindy through the 27.1 final quarter. Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz, Brad Grant and Captain Trevor Racing own the winner, a $75,000 Harrisburg purchase from breeders Bay’s Stable and Riverview Racing.
Blood Money, a son of another first crop sire in Sweet Lou, won the second colt split in 1:51.3.
Driver Jordan Stratton worked out a second-over ride then fanned off the cover with plenty through the 26.3 final quarter to get by Egomania and US Captain. It was the third win in four outings for owner-breeder Diamond Creek Racing. Jimmy Takter trains the winner.
Hall of Fame-driver David Miller broke through in the last colt division to win the fastest of the night’s stakes with Cant Beach That in 1:50.4.
Miller moved the Somebeachsomewhere colt to the front just past the :55.2 half and survived last-turn pressure from Major Deception then just lasted over the late-flying Hurrikane Emperor who simply ran out of racetrack. The winner is trained by Richard “Nifty” Norman for Pinske Stables, Mel Segal and Kentuckiana Racing Stable. Bred by Mr. Segal, the colt is an $80,000 Lexington Selected Sale graduate.
Racing resumes Sunday, Aug. 19 at 7:00 p.m. with seven divisions of the three-year-old KYSS opening preliminary featuring Hambletonian heat winner Tactical Landing and Milstein Pace winner Thinkbig Dreambig.
(With files from The Red Mile)