Red Mile: Ice Attraction turns in record performance in Allerage Open Mare Trot

Ice Attraction rallied from next-to-last to first to capture the $72,000 Allerage Farms Mares Open Trot on Sunday afternoon at The Red Mile. Last year's Kentucky Filly Futurity champion made an historic return to the oval, breaking the world record with a 1:50 1/5 clocking.

Action was hot and heavy early with Royal Witch putting horses in line through a 27-second opening quarter before yielding to the favorite Broadway Donna down the backstretch.

Broadway Donna was on the front in a 55-second half-mile clocking when pounced upon by Caprice Hill, racing for the first time for new trainer Chris Oakes. Those two battled nose-to-nose through a 1:23 three-quarter clocking with neither giving an inch.

Ake Svanstedt edged off the rail with Ice Attraction, and the daughter of Muscle Hill made up ground impressively, overtaking the leaders late as Broadway Donna broke in midstretch but rival Caprice Hill held on late for the place spot. Charmed Life rallied for the show spot.

Svanstedt also trains Ice Attraction.

"I was expecting a good effort and she responded," said Svanstedt.

Sent off at 10-1, Ice Attraction scored for just the second time in 13 starts this season for owners Svanstedt Stable, Douglas Sipple, Mal and Janet Burroughs and Jeff Gural's Little E LLC.

"Last year was a complete shock. This year is a nice surprise," said Gural.