Red Mile: Cantab Fashion knocks off Green Manalishi to claim fifth straight victory

Sent off as the 6-5 second choice, Cantab Fashion got the jump on 3-5 favorite Green Manalishi and out-sprinted his competition to take the third of three divisions of the $275,600 Trixton International Stallion Stakes, sponsored by the Trixton Syndicate, on Thursday, Oct. 4 at The Red Mile. Cantab Fashion halted the clock in 1:51 4/5 to collect his fifth consecutive victory.

The Jim Campbell-trained colt by Cantab Hall trotted into third while Battenberg swooped to the lead ahead of Union Forces in the pocket. By the first quarter in 28 1/5, Cantab Fashion tipped off the rail and rushed to the front before accelerating the tempo to a 55 2/5 half.

Green Manalishi moved first over heading into the final turn and marched towards the leader’s wheel heading to three-quarters. Past that marker, which was reached in 1:24, Green Manalishi continued to dig against Cantab Fashion in the stretch before the eventual winner entered another gear and edged to a length and a half victory at the wire. Union Forces held third from Battenberg fourth.

Surpassing $100,000 in career earnings, Cantab Fashion competes for owner-breeder Fashion Farms LLC. David Miller drove the $4.60 winner.

Pulling pocket past the quarter, the Domenico Cecere-trained Muscle Hill colt Kings County trotted fast fractions en route to a 1:52 3/5 victory in the first division of the ISS.

Hudson River took the lead towards the inside with Kings County tucking into second and Trix And Stones third. Following a 27 4/5 opening quarter, driver David Miller angled Kings County off the cones and circled to the lead in the backstretch. Gaining separation and speeding clear, Kings County led Hudson River through a 55 2/5 half.

Slowing the tempo to three-quarters, Kings County still held control as Hudson River gradually reeled in the leader and readied to pull off the rail passing three-quarters, which was timed in 1:24. Kings County turned into the stretch and remained extended to the line as Trix And Stones rallied three-wide to take second ahead of Chin Chin Hall. Off a rail trip, Chin Chin Hall closed through the center for third.

Kings County, competing for Lindy Farms of Connecticut, won his fourth race from nine starts, propelling his bankroll to $142,782. Sent off as the 3-2 favorite, he paid $5.00 to win.

"We've been babying him along," said Frank Antonacci Jr. "If he comes out of this okay, he'll head to the Breeders Crown. That's what we've been pointing for."

Super Schissel circled to the lead past the quarter and held command under a tight hold from driver Yannick Gingras to win the second ISS division in 1:54 3/5.

The Jimmy Takter-trained colt by Uncle Peter moved for the lead through a 28 2/5 opening quarter and pocketed early pace-setter Brady Bunch heading into the backstretch. Odds-on favorite Demon Onthe Hill, racing fifth, pulled first-over passing the half in 56 4/5 before flushing cover from Sheena’s Boy heading into the final turn.

Passing three-quarters in 1:26 4/5, Sheena’s Boy went on a gallop, interfered with second-over Demon Onthe Hill turning into the stretch, and left Super Schissel with an uncontested lead. Brady Bunch edged off the rail and gave pursuit, along with Lindy’s Crazy Hall towards the pylons, and Demon Onthe Hill recouping ground towards the center. Super Schissel finished about a half-length ahead of Brady Bunch, who cut into his margin at the wire, while Demon Onthe Hill edged Lindy’s Crazy Hall in the photo for third.

“It was an easy mile,” said Gingras. “I was just keeping him together, that was the main thing.”

Owned by Al Libfeld and Perry Soderberg, Super Schissel won his third race from eight starts, collecting $107,500 in earnings. Jimmy Takter trains the $13.00 winner.

--press release (Red Mile)--