The Red Mile hosted the final preliminary for the Kentucky Sires Stakes (KYSS) on Saturday, September 9 in preparation for the $250,000 finals Sunday, September 17.
Band Stand completed her sweep of the preliminary legs with a 1:53.1 win for driver Joe Bongiorno. Reserved in fourth through moderate early fractions, she took the uncovered route to victory, chasing down pacesetter and eventual third place finisher Let’s Fall In Love in the stretch. Hurrikane Empress angled wide after a pocket trip for second.
Band Stand is from the first crop of A Rocknroll Dance, was bred by Hunterton Farms, and is trained by Tony Alagna for Brad Grant.
Fillies opened the card and Pure Paradise won comfortably in 1:53. Tyler Smith took the favourite back to last through the early fractions as Newsday set the pace. Past the half, Pure Paradise was sent first over, engaged the leader by the last turn and sailed away. Dance Blue drafted behind the winner’s cover and finished second, with Pleasant Beauty third.
Brian Brown trains Pure Paradise for Mark Robinson, Bob Mondillo, RBH Ventures Joe Sbrocco.
Alagna and Bongiorno came back to repeat with Key Advisor in the first of two colt divisions, winning for the second time in the KYSS, this time in 1:52.
Bongiorno settled his charge in third, then moved the 3-5 favourite to the lead passing the three-eighths marker. Following a :56.1 half and 1:24.3 third-quarter, Key Advisor sprinted off early in the stretch, holding off first-time starter Lost In Time, who endured a long, uncovered trip, and Decoy was third.
Key Advisor is a Somebeachsomewhere colt owned by Brittany Farm and Key Advisor Racing and was bred by Courant AB.
The second colt division was taken by Grand Teton, a Diamond Creek homebred and another by A Rocknroll Dance. Mark MacDonald let the dust settle early then moved the 1-9 favourite to the top at the :56.2 half, faced no pressure around the bend then took off to win in 1:52. Trajectory closed for second and Who’s Better third. Jimmy Takter trains the winner.
(The Red Mile)