Red Mile: Alrajah One, Bythemissal star in Allerage Farms Open events

Alrajah One and Bythemissal didn't disappoint in the Allerage Farms tilts for older horses and geldings on Sunday afternoon at The Red Mile. Alrajah One led a sweep of the top three positions for trainer Ake Svanstedt in the trot, and Bythemissal returned to his winning ways after finishing fifth and third in his last two tries.

The trotters were up first in their $135,000 tilt, and Rattle My Cage (Yannick Gingras) fired to the front from post five and cut an opening quarter of 27 3/5. Pretender (Scott Zeron) then moved to the outside from fourth, and he was able to wrestle the top spot away from Rattle My Cage coming to the 55 second half-mile marker. Pretender would make a break on the final turn, though, which put Rattle My Cage back on the point. However, Southwind Tyrion (Svanstedt driving) was looming to his outside in the first-over slot, and he was followed by Alrajah One (Dexter Dunn).

After three-quarters in 1:23 4/5, Southwind Tyrion surged into the lead and looked to seal the deal in the stretch. Alrajah One had other ideas, as he charged by Southwind Tyrion inside the final eighth and edged clear late to prevail by a length and a half in 1:50 2/5. Southwind Tyrion, Rattle My Cage, Kildare King (Tim Tetrick) and Lovedbythemasses (Todd McCarthy) completed the top five finishers.

"I'm so happy to see him back after the injury last year. It's always tricky to manage them on this level they're racing," said Sarah Svanstedt. "It's stressful to have those horses in a way. You're always looking if something is bad or okay after the races. It was just tremendous to see him back again."

Sarah added that Alrajah One, who has also been breeding in New Jersey, is slated for another year on the racetrack in 2024.

"That's the plan right now, but everything can change. That was one of the reasons he didn't stop with the injury last year," she continued. "The owner loves to race and they have a great horse. I love owners that want to race those types of horses because the sport needs them."

A 7-year-old stallion by Maharajah, Alrajah One is owned by Scuderia My Horse Inc. He is an 18-time winner from 46 appearances, has put away $1,835,722 and paid $2.66 to win as the 1-4 favorite.

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In the $138,500 pace, Linedrive Hanover (James MacDonald) and Allywag Hanover (T. McCarthy) hustled out from posts six and seven, with Allywag Hanover landing on the lead past the 26 2/5 opening quarter. Allywag Hanover still led at the half in 53 4/5 as Bythemissal (Gingras) waited until the far turn to charge out of third. Once he was fed clear racetrack, Bythemissal went up to Allywag Hanover at the 1:21 2/5 three-quarters and cleared him past that marker.

Bythemissal got separation on the field after he took charge, and although Taurasi (Andy McCarthy) finished in 25 3/5 on the pylons from the back of the pack, he ran out of racetrack as Bythemissal won by a length in 1:47 4/5. Hemsworth N (Matt Kakaley) was up for third at 55-1, followed by Linedrive Hanover and Allywag Hanover.

Bythemissal is trained by Ron Burke for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Eric Good, Rich Lombardo Racing LLC. and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. The son of Downbytheseaside has a record of 22-3-2 from 29 starts, has pocketed $1,695,466 and returned $3.02 to win as the 1-2 favorite.