Oak Grove: McCarthy, Gingras clean up in Kentucky-Bred Series

First round action in the new-for-2022 Kentucky-Bred Series for 4-year-olds took place on Tuesday afternoon at Oak Grove Racing & Gaming. Each event was worth $50,000 and Andy McCarthy won both trots, while Yannick Gingras captured both paces.

The mare trot went as a non-wagering race, and Beltassima defeated two foes in 1:56 1/5. She and McCarthy led through panels of 29 2/5, 58 3/5, and 1:27 3/5 and downed Jazzy Jules (Christian Lind) by five lengths. Highly Acclaimed (Dan Shetler) rounded out the order.

A Trixton mare, Beltassima is owned by Crawford Farms LLC. This was her eighth career victory, and she has now earned $347,947.

Male pacers kicked off the betting card, and Komodo Beach (McCarthy) and Goldie's Legacy (Gingras) threw down past the start, with Goldie's Legacy taking the lead after a sizzling 25 second opening quarter. Goldie's Legacy maintained command from there through a 53 3/5 half and a 1:21 2/5 three-quarters, and a 27 2/5 final quarter got him a one length decision in 1:48 4/5, which tied the track record. Komodo Beach was the runner-up and Red Right Hand (Scott Zeron) checked in third.

Jeff Cullipher trains and co-owns Goldie's Legacy, a gelding by Always A Virgin, with Pollack Racing LLC. Goldie's Legacy is now a 14-time winner, and he pushed his bankroll to $414,910. He paid $5.60 to win as the second choice.

Gingras then guided Blue Diamond Eyes to a 1:49 1/5 tally in the mare pace. Blue Diamond Eyes was fourth at the 25 3/5 quarter set by High Minded (Aaron Merriman) but brushed and cleared nearing the 53 1/5 half. Blue Diamond Eyes opened up on the competition to a 1:20 2/5 three-quarters and stayed clear from there, bettering a closing Classicist (McCarthy) by 2 1/4 lengths. A Special Moment (Todd Warren) collected third.

Blue Diamond Eyes, a daughter of Captaintreacherous, is trained by Ron Burke and owned by Thomas and Scott Dillon. She made her 12th appearance in the winner's circle, has now pocketed $1,177,714, and returned $2.60 to win as the 1-5 favorite.

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Cuatro De Julio didn't disappoint in the male trot, lowering the track record to 1:51 1/5. McCarthy had him on the point through stations of 27, 55 3/5, and 1:23 4/5, and he responded when Kildare King (Gingras) tipped out of the pocket on the last turn, holding that rival at bay by half a length. Flemsteen (Merriman) was the third-place finisher.

Trainer Marie Ortolan-Bar also co-owns Cuatro De Julio, a son of Trixton, with D Farm LLC. Cuatro De Julio has compiled a record of 13-7-1 from 29 trips behind the gate, and he has now put away $586,711. He paid $2.80 to win as the 2-5 choice.