Red Mile: Gingras sweeps International Stallion Stake

When the big money was on the line in three divisions of the International Stallion Stakes on Thursday, everything was coming up Yannick Gingras. One of the top drivers in the sport, Gingras put on a clinic with a clean sweep of the series behind Lifetime Pursuit, Vanity Matters and Outsourced Hanover.

Lifetime Pursuit put on a show in the first of three divisions at The Red Mile. The 2-year-old filly was an easy winner in the $88,500 event.

Lifetime Pursuit and Gingras waited in third early on before brushing to the front a few steps before the half in 56 2/5. She cruised along on the lead with Goddess chasing along from the pocket and never had an anxious moment.

Lifetime Pursuit tipped the timer in 1:52 3/5, nearly three lengths better than Goddess in second.

It was the sixth win in nine career starts for the Jimmy Takter-trained 2-year-old, who is owned by Brittany Farms.

Gingras used the brush and crush move once again in the second International Stallion split, this one going for $89,500.

Starting from post one, Gingras waited past the opening quarter in 28 3/5 before moving Vanity Matters to the top by the 56 2/5 half mile marker. Once clear on the lead, the outcome was basically decided. Vanity Matters opened up a huge lead and cruised under the wire in 1:52 2/5. The favored Heaven’s Door chased home for second money.

It was the second victory of the year for the Jonas Czernyson-trained daughter of Explosive Matter. With the $44,750 payday, Vanity Matters more than doubled her career earnings for owners Joe Sbrocco and Darlene Mc Nulty.

Using his patented winning rush once again, Gingras edged Outsourced Hanover to the rim just before the half in 57 2/5 before rushing to the front and gaining an insurmountable advantage.

The Ron Burke trainee drifted through the stretch but held her ground for the victory in 1:54 4/5 over Red Hot Spicy.

The win by Outsourced Hanover set a new lifetime mark for the Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi and Howard Taylor owned daughter of Donato Hanover.

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