Red Mile: Cattlewash matches world record in Bluegrass score

Tall Dark Stranger continued his dominance over the sophomore male pacing division on Sunday afternoon with a well-earned victory in the third of three Bluegrass divisions worth $67,600. Driven by Yannick Gingras, Tall Dark Stranger scored in 1:48 3/5, holding Little Brown Jug winner Captain Barbossa at bay in a stretch-long battle.

Gingras didn't push out early while Caliber, The Greek Freek, and Captain Barbossa did, and eventually Captain Barbossa gained command in a snappy 26 3/5 first quarter. Gingras moved Tall Dark Stranger quickly past the quarter, with Captain Barbossa eager to let him pass. A soft half of 55 seconds made Tall Dark Stranger's task easier, and he coasted to three-quarters in 1:22 2/5 before the stretch duel commenced.

Captain Barbossa pulled under a full drive at headstretch, and Gingras wasted no time using the whip on Tall Dark Stranger. While his rival was able to get within a half length of Tall Dark Stranger, he couldn't gain late as the Bettor's Delight-sired colt sprinted a final quarter in 26 1/5 to secure his 17th victory in 19 career starts. Captain Barbossa finished second, with The Greek Freak third.

"He's all heart," said Gingras following the victory.

Crawford Farms, Caviart Farms, Marvin Katz, and Howard Taylor share ownership of Tall Dark Stranger, who is trained by Nancy Takter. He returned $2.20 to win.

Cattlewash and driver David Miller converted on a pocket trip to equal the world record of 1:46 4/5 for a sophomore pacing colt on a mile track in the first $67,600 Bluegrass division. With Captain Kirk making a second move to clear past the 27 second opening fraction, Cattlewash settled for the pocket and was towed through fractions of 53 3/5 and 1:20 3/5, with Joe Bongiorno, behind Captain Kirk, keeping the majority of the field at bay.

Cattlewash, a son of Somebeachsomewhere, catapulted under urging by Miller and vaulted home well ahead of the field, with a 26 1/5 final quarter allowing him to equal the world mark set initially by his sire at The Red Mile in 2008 and later by He's Watching. Captain Kirk settled for second, with Save Me A Dance third in the mile.

Second choice in the field, Cattlewash paid $5.80. W.J. Donovan owns and bred Cattlewash, who is trained by Ron Burke.

Warrawee Vital rebounded from Little Brown Jug disappointment in capturing the second $66,600 Bluegass stanza for Tim Tetrick in a career-best 1:47 1/5 clocking.

Actiion was fast and furious in this division as early leaders Elver Hanover and Warrawee Vital were shuffled following a 27 second opening quarter, with first Fortify gaining the front, then Capt Midnight leading in the 54 1/5 half. A bull rush move by Tru Lou and Miller changed the complexion radically following the half again, as the Ron Burke-trained gelding hit three-quarters on top in 1:20 3/5 before bearing out. The stage was set for a closer, and Tetrick managed to weave through traffic in early stretch and then take the pylons late to overtake Capt Midnight and Forify with Warrawee Vital.

Rob Fellows trains Warrawee Vital, who returned $6.60 for the victory. Owned by Blair Corbeil, Yolanda Fellows, and M & S Stable Inc., Warrawee Vital won for the eighth time in 13 career starts.