Red Mile: Father Patrick wins with ease; Cee Bee Yes sets world record

Although the competition was far from elite, it was business as usual for Father Patrick in the first of two divisions of the Bluegrass series for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings on Sunday afternoon at The Red Mile.

Father Patrick brushed to the front after the quarter in 28 1/5 and easily cruised through the middle half with fractions of 56 and 1:23 3/5 posted on the tele-timer. In the stretch, driver Yannick Gingras barely moved a muscle as Father Patrick accelerated with a 27 1/5 final quarter for the training mile-like victory over pocket sitter Lightning Force and Martiniwithmuscle.

“He’s just one of a kind,” said trainer Jimmy Takter, who mentioned the American National at Balmoral Park and a trip to Hoosier Park for the colt’s next couple of starts after the October 5 Kentucky Futurity at the Red Mile. “I’ve never been around a horse even close to this guy.”

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Father Patrick ($2.10) added $46,550 to his career earnings with the win for owner Father Patrick Stable. He is just shy of $2 million career at $1,927,508 and has won 20 of 23 lifetime starts.

Nuncio cruised to victory in the first $94,100 sophomore colt division. Driver John Campbell floated away into the four-hole as Hillustrious and Datsyuk battled through the first half in 54 4/5 for the lead. After giving in for the pocket, Hillustrious was back on the move around the final turn to resume the lead briefly before Nuncio pounced.

Nuncio ($2.40) sprinted home for an easy 1:50 4/5 win over Hillustrious and Mr Lindy, with winning driver John Campbell saying the colt was well within himself.

“I was pretty sure coming off the turn for home that I was going to win,” said Campbell.

Jimmy Takter also trains Nuncio, who is owned by Stall Tz Inc.

Competition creates records and Cooler Schooner’s wild speed mission in the first of two $86,700 Bluegrass divisions for 3-year-old filly trotters paved the way for a world record mile by Cee Bee Yes.

Cooler Schooner set fractions of 27 4/5, 53 2/5 and 1:21 4/5 before breaking and giving way to the red hot Lifetime Pursuit. That one appeared home but Cee Bee Yes tracked her intently and got up at the wire in 1:50 2/5, the fastest mile ever trotted by a sophomore filly.

Heaven’s Door overcame an early break to be third.

“I didn’t expect her to be the fastest of all time, but I knew the race would set up with fast fractions,” said Andy Miller about the Muscles Yankee-sired filly trained by wife Julie.

Scott Zeron drove Cee Bee Yes ($115.40) for owners Jason and Douglas Allen.

In the final filly Bluegrass split, Shake It Cerry rushed to the front after an opening quarter in 27 2/5 and never had an anxious moment. Setting fractions of 55 1/5 and 1:23 2/5, the Solveig’s Racing Partners-owned filly opened up through the stretch for the 1:51 2/5 score.

Chivaree Hanover closed for second over My Inspiration.

“I was saying ‘whoa girl’ and she thought I was saying ‘go girl’,” said Pierce, perhaps tongue in check. “I think she can trot better than 1:50; she’s that special.”

Shake It Cerry ($3.00) was driven by Ron Pierce for trainer Jimmy Takter, who scored three stakes victories on the card. The Donato Hanover-sired filly improved her career record to 18 for 23 lifetime.

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