Red Mile: Atlanta converts from the pocket in Allerage Farms Open Trot

Atlanta had a two-hole trip, popped out of that position on the far turn, went by leader Gimpanzee, and kept going determinedly through the lane to stay in front and win the $148,500 Allerage Farms Open Trot on Sunday afternoon at The Red Mile in a season's-best 1:50.

Gimpanzee (Brian Sears) left out quickly from post five and worked his way around Atlanta (Yannick Gingras) before the 27 1/5 opening quarter, with Crystal Fashion (Jordan Stratton) settling behind them in third. Gimpanzee didn't face any challengers in the second quarter, but the tempo was hot too as he rang up the half in 54 3/5.

As they trotted around the far turn, Gingras wheeled Atlanta out two-wide, and she was matching strides with Gimpanzee at the 1:23 three-quarters, then went by him after that marker. Gingras went back to the inside coming off the far turn, with Crystal Fashion, who had tracked her two-wide advance then taking up the chase through the lane as Gimpanzee backed out of contention. Atlanta was up by almost two lengths with an eighth to go, and although the closers did chip away at her margin late, Atlanta hit the wire half a length to the good over Crystal Fashion. Australian import Majestic Player (Brett Miller) rallied from sixth to third in the final quarter.

"I thought on paper it was a two-horse race, and Ronnie (Burke) and I were actually on the same page. I just didn't want Gimpanzee on a loose lead and have to come like from five or six lengths behind him," said Gingras. "I respect the horse, so I just wanted to stay close to him. Brian was already asking him there in the last turn. I know he's a little bit lazy, but to me it looked like I had a shot to go right by him at that point. Obviously it worked out.

"I think if you can trip her out she's incredible, but today I think she gutted out, and all credit's to her."

Burke trains Atlanta, a 5-year-old mare by Chapter Seven, for owners Crawford Farms Racing, Brad Grant, and Howard Taylor. This was her 25th career victory, and she has now earned $2,450,203. She paid $4.00 to win as the even-money second choice.