Blumin Attitude overcomes trouble

LINCOLN, Neb. - Blumin Attitude shook off early traffic problems and then rallied to capture the $20,750 Big Red Mile Stakes on Monday at Lincoln's State Fair Park.

Blumin Attitude and rider Luis Ranilla ran up on another horse's heels through the first of the three turns and checked hard entering the stretch for the first time. Ranilla settled Blumin Attitude in good striking position, angled outside pacesetting Heso into the stretch and rallied clear under only mild urging, covering the distance in 1:37.80 over a fast track. It was Blumin Attitude's first win since capturing the 2008 Dowd Mile Stakes at Fonner Park and also his first for trainer Dan Coughlin who acquired the horse last fall.

Blumin Attitude returned $12.60 and combined with Heso for a 1-6 exacta worth $67.20. Skwhirl completed a $254.80 trifecta. The seven-horse field was so evenly balanced that six of the seven horses were sent off at between 3-1 and 5-1. Blumin Attitude improved his career mark to 7-4-1 from 24 starts and increased his earnings to more than $78,000.